EDGEWATER — Neighbors can weigh in on an initial design proposal for a 1-mile stretch of public space under the soon-to-be-finished Red Line tracks in Edgewater and Uptown.
The public space project is part of the $2 billion rebuild of the Red Line on the Far North Side. The CTA’s contractors realized the old Red Line track’s existing embankment wall was no longer needed, freeing up space under the new, under-construction rail infrastructure.
Architecture firm Site Design created initial designs based on neighbors’ input from meetings earlier this year and invited the community to take a look during an event Wednesday evening.
The public space will stretch 10 blocks, from Ardmore to Lawrence avenues, officials said.
Each block has a walking path from the north to south end, and many have green spaces, dog parks, landscaping, fitness areas and playgrounds. Blocks between Berwyn and Argyle avenues have some space designated for parking spots.
This is the first time the CTA has had the opportunity to create public areas under rail infrastructure, the agency previously said.
During the event, neighbors viewed large posters with designs of what each block could look like. People were encouraged to leave feedback in person or write to the CTA at rpm@transitchicago.com.
A second event is 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., for neighbors who were unable to attend Wednesday.
The CTA will hold another community meeting in the summer with final designs based on this second round of feedback from neighbors.
Work on the community spaces will begin in 2025, when the rebuild of the Red Line infrastructure is slated to be completed.
The remainder of the renderings for each block’s design, from north to south:
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