Last I read, Chicago Union Station was constructed so you could add an additional 5 floors or so to the top of the existing building. I thought I read Amtrak was contemplating that a while back. Anything they can do to reduce the rent and thereby reduce their subsidy, I am all for.
I am a little disappointed they are removing the pedestrian subways under the tracks at the Milwaukee Amtrak station. They are going to replace them with stairs up that go over the tracks and then stairs down again. I would think that is going to take more effort and time crossing the tracks with the new contraption instead of just repairing the subways.
CMStPnP Last I read, Chicago Union Station was constructed so you could add an additional 5 floors or so to the top of the existing building. I thought I read Amtrak was contemplating that a while back. Anything they can do to reduce the rent and thereby reduce their subsidy, I am all for. I am a little disappointed they are removing the pedestrian subways under the tracks at the Milwaukee Amtrak station. They are going to replace them with stairs up that go over the tracks and then stairs down again. I would think that is going to take more effort and time crossing the tracks with the new contraption instead of just repairing the subways.
Five floors added to the Chicago station--is that to the east building (east of Canal)?
Johnny
I read the Tribune Article to read that Amtrak is requesting inquiries from non-Amtrak entities to propose development of currently unused space. I didn't get the impression that they are footing the cost, just that they have a lot of unused building space that can be developed and they are trolling for investors to use it and provide them with revenue.
As to the question of adding floors, that would be the West (Grand Concourse) building between Canal and Clinton.
This subject really whets my curiosity. I was about 50 years between rail visits to Chicago. Perhaps a grizzled veteran of the Chicago area such as Schlimm or Greyhounds can help me out.
As I recall from the early 1960s, the Great Hall was kind of an afterthought even back then. The action -- ticket sales, the obligatory clock and information desk -- were all in the area that's behind curtains now. I recall -- no doubt imperfectly -- the trains even being over there.
In those days, you didn't even need to go where all the commercial action is now.
I'd appreciate correction of my wisdom, and info on what's in store for Union.
The Beaux Art concourse was (sadly) torn down n 1969 and replaced by the current building under the office building above. Growing up in the suburbs, I used the old NorthWestern Station, only a few times Union. My recollection was that the Great Hall (waiting room) was used, but mostly by folks changing trains, not so much folks starting their trip.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Yes they will have escalators and elevators in the Milwaukee Station after construction is complete, the design is to have a mezzanine over the tracks. Not sure if that means the trainshed is comming down, how many sq foot the mezzanine will be or if it will even be enclosed. They say the new design is more ADA compliant then the ramps under the tracks which I find hard to believe.
schlimm The Beaux Art concourse was (sadly) torn down n 1969 and replaced by the current building under the office building above. Growing up in the suburbs, I used the old NorthWestern Station, only a few times Union. My recollection was that the Great Hall (waiting room) was used, but mostly by folks changing trains, not so much folks starting their trip.
OK, thanks, Schlimm; it's easy to see now I had things reversed. Outdoors, my sense of direction is pretty good; indoors, I'm easy to lose.
Electroliner 1935 I read the Tribune Article to read that Amtrak is requesting inquiries from non-Amtrak entities to propose development of currently unused space. I didn't get the impression that they are footing the cost, just that they have a lot of unused building space that can be developed and they are trolling for investors to use it and provide them with revenue. As to the question of adding floors, that would be the West (Grand Concourse) building between Canal and Clinton.
dakotafred schlimm The Beaux Art concourse was (sadly) torn down n 1969 and replaced by the current building under the office building above. Growing up in the suburbs, I used the old NorthWestern Station, only a few times Union. My recollection was that the Great Hall (waiting room) was used, but mostly by folks changing trains, not so much folks starting their trip. OK, thanks, Schlimm; it's easy to see now I had things reversed. Outdoors, my sense of direction is pretty good; indoors, I'm easy to lose.
Easy enough to do, Fred, with such confusing terminology. Head house = Great Hall = (old main) Waiting Room. Concourse replaced with mezzanine. The ticket counters are now on under Canal Street. Did they used to be in the Concourse?
The time that I bought a ticket (to Joliet, on the GM&O) in 1971, the ticket counters were under Canal, as I remember.
The Metra ticket counter is now by the North Concourse.
DeggestyThe Metra ticket counter is now by the North Concourse.
You are right, Johnny. It's at the far western end of the N. Concourse, almost under Canal.
One thing that frosts me is the terrorists caused the taxi ramps and loading and unloading areas to be closed. It was a great design in its time but security issues resulted in its being closed.
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