Passenger Trains > CUS billion dollar renovation and development

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-union-station-redevelopment-0526-biz-20170524-column.html

Curiously enough, this morning while walking the platform from my Metra train to the station, we were accosted by the most foul stench imaginable. Here's hoping some of that $1 billion can be used to either fix the retention tanks on the Metra cars or figure out a way to drain the foul liquid away from the tracks.

Yes, it was that BAD!

Two thoughts:

1) If the renovation does not add a couple of run-through tracks, then the rehab money is being wasted.
2) Compared to Union Station, the add-on, visually speaking, sucks.

How do you add to the run thru tracks without narrowing the waiting concourses and bulldozing the bathrooms ?

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/17 10:51 by joemvcnj.

You knock down the monstrosity that sits over the concourse area, and build an actual train station.

billio Wrote:
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> 2) Compared to Union Station, the add-on,
> visually speaking, sucks.


Naturally.

SOP in the USA anymore. Is it the colleges? Or the
costs? Or maybe ugly is the new beautiful.

/Mitch

Did they change the track layout when they stuck the office building over the station and tracks ?

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Did they change the track layout when they stuck
> the office building over the station and tracks ?

Not in any major way.

Don't expect too much for $1 billion in the most corrupt city
in the most corrupt state. After appropriate pockets are lined
and no-show workers paid, little will be left for actual station
improvements.

Look at what $1 billion got you between Chicago and St. Louis.
Then look at what the UP got.

stuporchief Wrote:
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> You knock down the monstrosity that sits over the
> concourse area, and build an actual train station.

I have it from a good source that the tax-generating, employment-providing "monstrosity" would take in excess of $500 million to purchase.

billio Wrote:
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> 2) Compared to Union Station, the add-on,
> visually speaking, sucks.

You'll be happy that the Tribune architecture critic agrees: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-union-station-assess--kamin-met-0526-20170525-column.html

No doubt, but what would be the lifetime economic benefit to the city and its commerce?

kevink Wrote:
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> stuporchief Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You knock down the monstrosity that sits over
> the
> > concourse area, and build an actual train
> station.
>
> I have it from a good source that the
> tax-generating, employment-providing "monstrosity"
> would take in excess of $500 million to purchase.