The key developer, Gerald Fogelson, is responsible for building the massive Central Station residential development on the site of the former IC passenger terminal at the southern end of the city’s Grant Park. Central Station closed in 1972 and the building known for its clocktower was demolished in 1974.
Fogelson has said previously that he acquired the air rights to build over the tracks more than 20 years ago.
A Metra spokesman said Friday that the commuter rail agency has been briefed on the plans by the developers, but would not comment further. The developers have reportedly also briefed Chicago officials on the plans, which won’t be officially unveiled until a public meeting on March 13.
The latest proposal is a multibillion-dollar plan to deck over the Metra Electric tracks west of Soldier Field — home of the National Football League’s Chicago Bears — and south of the Central Station development to build a mix of residential, office and retail space, according to a report in Crain’s Chicago Business.
Previous development plans were proposed as recently as 2008 but never realized. This time, Fogelson is partnering with a Wisconsin developer. Bob Dunn, who is president of Milwaukee-based Hammes, played a key role in building Ford Field in Detroit and rebuilding Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Fogelson previously planned to develop 23 acres of the property, telling the Chicago Tribune at the time: “It’s the only vacant piece of land on Lake Shore Drive and it’s ugly. Our plan is to cover this entire area.”
The recession and credit crunch quashed that proposal, however.
JOHN RICE – See TRAINS-MAG February 2019, pp 52- 55.
One of the great untold stories is METRA’s investment in this line which was a shambles in the miid-1990’s. No loner.
Unfortunately, there’s one problem, which is Millenium Station. Its predecessor, Randolph Street, was an ancient, dingy, dysfunctional hole in the ground. The new Millenium Station is a modern, sparkling dysfunctional hole in the ground. I prefer Van Buren Street, which is much closer to Union Station (where I arrive on the Hiawatha) and is a nicer experience.
Most people don’t know it, but when the IC built their Chicago lakefront access, it was built on piers in the water. The air rights are on top of what used to be lake rights until they filled it in and built Grant Park.
Brett Reid it was pretty clear from the reporting that the structure shedding chunks onto the north concourse of CUS was not owned by Amtrak.
Why not give away the remainder of the park where Obama is building the hideous monument to his kingship, on public trust park land given off by the City Council on a vote of 47-1. “On the make, by the lake”…. Chicago!
@Paul this wouldn’t be owned be Amtrak, who owns Union Station Chicago. Who’s been Cuttin corners, delayin maintenance, pencil whippin maintenance logs, and ignorin warnings for DECADES and is a govt entity so they really don’t give a @#$!
I like it too, but be sure to include a clause that the developer is responsible for keeping the structure over the tracks in a state of good repair so that the chunks of falling concrete from the air rights over the north concourse of Chicago Union Station don’t occur.
On the other hand, since this is Metra *Electric*, there’s no worry about acidic high RPM diesel exhaust for F40 HEP being a contributing factor.
Great idea, sell air rights, like Millennium Park, although its a city park and they don’t pay sh@(%! Heck cover all the tracks, Metra needs that money, but only sell to private companies because they pay, the city don’t. But don’t buy a condo or hi rise with a view of Soldier Field, That’s THE ugly @#$$% stadium I’ve ever seen in my life!!!
Seems like a good idea.