Transit Closure Could Impact Chicago Venues

The CTA would like to renovate the station at the Lawrence stop beginning in 2017 and rebuild a mile of track – a project that could cost as much as $1.3 billion and last five years, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Aragon sits adjacent to the stop and GM Erasmo Ibarra told the paper he’s been discussing potential construction vibration levels with the CTA. But the biggest impact could very well be the closure of the station. “Time will tell,” he said. “I am a little concerned that people will be like, ‘Oh, I can’t find parking and might just not go (to the Aragon), period.’”

The Wilson stop just south of the Lawrence stop would remain open during the construction, according to the CTA plans. That stop is undergoing a renovation of its own that’s expected to wrap in 2017. Jam Productions co-founder and Riviera co-manager Jerry Mickelson told the paper the Lawrence stop could use the update, and as far as concertgoers are concerned, “the Wilson station will be open during this time so I anticipate our fans walking a few extra blocks to get to Jam’s concerts.”

A public meeting about the proposed project has been scheduled for May 14 and the CTA is also accepting written comments on the plan through May 29.