With more than one mile of new, open space under newly built CTA Red and Purple Line elevated tracks coming on line, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced the kickoff of an interactive community engagement process with Edgewater and Uptown neighborhood residents to determine how to activate those areas for the benefit of the community.

This space has become available as part of the $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project now underway.

The CTA announced in April 2023 that the agency would remove the 100-year-old embankment as part of the RPM project, creating an opportunity to give to the community new, open space underneath Red and Purple Line tracks between W Lawrence and W Ardmore avenues.

CTA to Hold Public Meetings

To begin the conversation of how to develop the space following the completion of the project, CTA announced it will hold the first of a series of public meetings on Jan. 10 and 11, 2024.

CTA has brought on Site Design Group to guide the development of a Lawrence-to-Bryn Mawr block-by-block plan to activate new community space under the CTA tracks.

“Working with the community to enhance public spaces under the new Red Line is an example of how CTA aims to create focal points in the communities we serve,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We want to hear from the community on they would like to see to create useful and appealing community spaces for residents and customers to enjoy.”

Community Engagement Process

There will be 10 blocks under the new Red Line elevated track structure that could be activated and include amenities such as additional neighborhood parking and open-air community space.

The CTA is inviting residents, customers, elected officials, and community groups including the Uptown United/Uptown Chamber of Commerce and Edgewater Chamber of Commerce for input into this activation process.

CTA will hold three sets of community meetings starting in January through the summer of 2024 to collect the public’s ideas, formulate concepts for each block, and determine how to roll out the development with partner agencies and organizations in the community.