For the first time since 1948, part of the Near West Side of Chicago will have train access to it, and an easy way to travel far beyond. Plans for the Damen Green Line Station, a new glass-walled transportation center to be located at Damen Avenue and Lake Street, recently were unveiled.
With glass walls, open sightlines meant to give broad views of Chicago, and a landmark green truss mimicking both the city’s bridges and the Green Line itself, the planned transit center will serve as a connection point for train-to-bus riders, at nearly every hour of the day and night. Designed by Perkins+Will, the open-concept structure will be brightly illuminated to provide a safe atmosphere.
Having a public art installation, a grand staircase and elevated glass towers, the structure is meant to be eye-catching, but also intended as a spot from which the eye can wander. Capped by a bridge comprised of a glass-enclosed passageway supported by what might one day be considered iconic green steel trusses, the bridge will connect outbound and inbound passengers, and perhaps connect both Chicagoans and visitors to the city with the visual impact of the city itself, by way of the sweeping views if it.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks another major milestone for the CTA, which brings new jobs and opportunities for Chicago’s residents,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel says. “This new station will be a community anchor, serve those who live and work in the neighborhood, and will become a gateway to further usher in economic growth for the Near West Side.”
Perkins+Will has designed more than 120 transit stations around the world. The Damen Green Line Station is the latest of those public transit developments.
“We are excited to partner with the City of Chicago on this important project in our own backyard,” says Douglas Smith, Managing Principal at Perkins+Will. “We are a Chicago-based firm, so are proud to use our global expertise to enhance the public transit experience of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) riders and help return access and investment to this community.”
Related Stories
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.
Building Enclosure Systems | Mar 13, 2013
5 novel architectural applications for metal mesh screen systems
From folding façades to colorful LED displays, these fantastical projects show off the architectural possibilities of wire mesh and perforated metal panel technology.
| Feb 25, 2013
10 U.S. cities with the best urban forests
Charlotte, Denver, and Milwaukee are among 10 U.S. cities ranked recently by the conservation organization American Forests for having quality urban forest programs.
| Feb 25, 2013
Turner employs rare 'collapsible' steel truss system at Seattle light rail station
To speed construction of the $110 million Capitol Hill Station light-rail station in Seattle, general contractor Turner Construction will use an unusual temporary framing method for the project's underground spaces.
| Jan 30, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: parking structures, town halls, community centers
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
| Dec 4, 2012
City of Gainesville to break ground on $33 million bus fleet maintenance and ops facility
The 140,000-sf facility will include dispatch, administrative and maintenance facilities.
| Sep 7, 2012
Manhattan Construction Co. to build Fairfax office building
Designed by Noritake Associates of Alexandria Virginia, the project is LEED-registered, seeking LEED Silver certification.
| Aug 7, 2012
How to win more state and local government projects
With a huge building stock at their disposal, state and local governments can be attractive clients, especially in these difficult economic times.
| Jul 12, 2012
EE&K and Knutson Construction selected for the Interchange in Minneapolis
Design-build contract for $79.3 million transportation hub will connect transit with culture.
