The California Blue Line station in Logan Square opened to fanfare Thursday as riders returned to a stop they said looked brighter and cleaner and smelled better.
The station reopened at 1 a.m. There were LED lights and new furniture on the platform, a new booth for the customer service agent and restored historic stationhouse finishes.
There were fewer bike racks in front of the station but the ones that were there had more bike capacity, CTA spokesman Brian Steele said. The transit agency plans to add new artwork from Chicago artist Patrick McGee.
The agency did not add elevators or escalators to the station to make it accessible for riders with disabilities. Chris Bushell, the CTA chief infrastructure officer, said Wednesday the intent of the project was to extend the life of the station.
Tom Marchetti, of Logan Square, left the California stop Thursday appreciating the improvements. He said the station, which typically attracts 5,000 entries on an average weekday, used to look drab.
“It’s nice. Money well spent,” said Marchetti, 46. Marchetti said while the station was closed, he walked an extra 10 to 15 minutes to get to the nearby Logan Square Blue Line stop.
The work is part of the CTA’s $492 million project to upgrade track and improve stations on the O’Hare branch and subway of the Blue Line. The next Blue station to close will be the Damen stop in Wicker Park at 1 a.m., Monday.
Mayor Emanuel, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D) and CTA president Forrest Claypool celebrated the improvements Thursday morning.
“This is an incredible effort,” Mayor Emanuel said before cutting a red ribbon in front of the newly renovation station.
Revolution Brewing, around the corner from the California stop, is also glad the station reopened.
Brewpub general manager Gabriel Boden said he noticed less foot traffic on Milwaukee Avenue near the station and fewer people stopping into the brewpub with their luggage on their way to or from O’Hare International Airport, also on the Blue Line.
Boden said Revolution experienced a 20 percent dip in business during the station closure.
“It wasn’t catastrophic, but noticeable for sure,” Boden said in an e-mail to RedEye. “It’ll be nice to get back to normal.”
![Fatpour Tap Works, a combined indoor/outdoor space with a dining room, bar, outdoor patio, 20 TVs and 20 beers on draft, opened its doors for its Lincolnwood location at District 1860. It’s the forth location for the restaurant with locations near the McCormick Pace Convention Center, Wicker Park and Wilmette, opened its doors for its newest location at District 1860 on April 25. Owner Erik Baylis said the restaurant is a “place for everyone” and serves modern American food on a menu with salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, traditional entrees and desserts. The Lincolnwood location at 7244 Lincolnwood location will be able […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ppn-l-lwd-fatpour-district-1860-0502-01_6be1c2.jpg?w=467 "Fatpour Tap Works, a combined indoor/outdoor space with a dining room, bar, outdoor patio, 20 TVs and 20 beers on draft, opened its doors for its Lincolnwood location at District 1860. It’s the forth location for the restaurant with locations near the McCormick Pace Convention Center, Wicker Park and Wilmette, opened its doors for its newest location at District 1860 on April 25. Owner Erik Baylis said the restaurant is a “place for everyone” and serves modern American food on a menu with salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, traditional entrees and desserts. The Lincolnwood location at 7244 Lincolnwood location will be able […]")