Eamon / October 5, 2005 4:22 PM

Grand. Scary lighting and it's always 100 degrees and humid down there. How is that even possible?

Andrew / October 5, 2005 4:25 PM

Thank god someone's cleaning up the Thorndale stop. It's stunk of urine since at least '97. I may head over there to help out.

They may as well just continue down the Red Line -- Berwyn isn't too bad, but Bryn Mawr needs to be improved as much as Granville. And it's a shame to see the Argyle stop decay after all the work the neighborhood put into it so many years ago.

I'd also like to see the Grand stop get the beauty treatment the Chicago stop got.

Sarah / October 5, 2005 4:30 PM

I would love it if there was more public art in all of the stops. Not just murals. Moasics and sound installations. Sculptures and light art.

vit / October 5, 2005 4:38 PM

Division on the Blue Line, and how about cleaning up that corner outside the station too?

Annie / October 5, 2005 4:38 PM

Harrison. Red Line. Ick. All the stops in the Loop proper are nice & clean, but the Harrison stop is like a armpit. Plus, there's only one entrance/exit, which always makes me a little concerned for my safety. I'm surprised the new South Loop property owners haven't demanded a renovation yet.

redliner / October 5, 2005 4:41 PM

Morse. They fixed the leaking roof (well, mostly fixed it), so you don't get drenched walking up the stairs any more, but other than that I feel like I've stepped in a time machine back to 1985 every time I'm there.

Craig / October 5, 2005 4:54 PM

Almost all of our underground stops are dingy and grime encrusted. Conceptually, the grit is "cool" in a post-industrial way, but I wish the CTA could take a page from the interiors of DC's Metro for the subway stations. Even after 30 years they are stunningly beautiful.

Cinnamon / October 5, 2005 5:26 PM

The Irving Park stop on the red line used to flood everytime it rained. It's so gross having to wade through 5-inch-deep water to climb the stairs at a train station.

The Morse stop is horrific, inside and out.

But when the Chicago stop was just finished, I had the urge to tag the walls. It was way too bright and shiny.

jennifer / October 5, 2005 5:28 PM

what is with the red line subway stops? they are all so dark and creepy. the jackson one is nice and brightly lit. are they going to fix them all up that way?

MikeH / October 5, 2005 6:05 PM

In response to jennifer's question, they are planning on remodeling the other stops like Jackson--in fact I think they're close to unveiling one of the nearly finished stops just north of there...

They really need to do something with the Howard station. It's a major hub for trains as well as buses, and it's an absolute shithole. Even after it's just been cleaned, it still has that "flower boquet wrapped in a dirty diaper" smell to it...

waleeta / October 5, 2005 6:28 PM

Each and every one.

Amy / October 5, 2005 6:49 PM

Clark and Division! I use Grand and Sheridan way more and would love to have those cleaned up but C & D just scares me.

Virginia / October 5, 2005 8:50 PM

I'll second the Argyle reference from above; it could be such a nice platform if it were well-maintained.

Flynn / October 5, 2005 10:38 PM

MikeH, I second the motion on Howard. The stairwells are basically bathrooms for the homeless L riders, the escalators break about 10 times a year, and I've actually seen people fall down because every inch of the ground level floors is wet when it rains. You'd think it had a sieve for a roof.

The plans for renovation have been announced, but since very little work has been started and the station is due to be finished by November 2006, I'd say they're probably going to be late.

Sarah / October 5, 2005 10:44 PM

Why has no one mentioned the Wilson stop on the Red Line yet?

Although I don't know what I would do every morning without the familiar urine/mildew smell. It remains a constant in a chaotic world.

vit / October 5, 2005 11:04 PM

sarah - I moved away from chicago for a bit and when I moved back six years ago and first went down into the 'el' my first thought was 'ah, subway air, I'm home'

HuckleCat / October 5, 2005 11:17 PM

Definitely Harrison.

savgpncl / October 5, 2005 11:23 PM

North & Clybourn.

Steve / October 5, 2005 11:33 PM

What Amy said -- Division and Clark is a creepy cesspool. Plus, it seems to attract an above-average share of crazies. Prime rat viewing, though.

Kris / October 6, 2005 2:06 AM

I'll vote for Grand--it was my regular stop for a long time, and now that Chicago to the north and Lake to the south are both sparkling and new, Grand is even more jarringly depressing. And--it seems a little ridiculous to consider this, but--it's smack in the middle of the River North hotel district, so it's the impression a lot of tourists get of the CTA.

After that, I'd go North/Clybourn, which was my Red Line transfer when I lived in Humboldt Park. Dark, dingy, and smelled like urine then; dark, dingy and smells like urine now.

Sabrosa / October 6, 2005 7:26 AM

From my experience, I've been a main rider of the orange and blue lines. The division stop blue line is rotting away. From all the comments, it sounds like many others are too. And that small plaza outside the division stop makes me feel gross also.

C-Note / October 6, 2005 7:42 AM

Is it only white people that are scared of el stations?

vit / October 6, 2005 7:59 AM

C-note - apparently you have a reading comprehension problem, being disgusted when stepping in a pool of urine at an 'el' stop doesn't mean the same thing as being 'scared' of an 'el' stop.

Speedy / October 6, 2005 7:59 AM

How many stations could have been cleaned up for the amount of money they spent on Millenium Park?

Which is more important to Chicago residents: Millenium Park, or the CTA?

j / October 6, 2005 8:18 AM

Who cares if they're clean, let's just keep our fingers crossed that there are trains to run through them. At this point with a disfunctional CTA it's only a matter of time before they cut the service.

In traditional Chicago fashion the public face of the city; the lakefront, Millenium park, Michigan ave planters, Clark St sidewalk, the Addison Red line stop are afforded plenty of money yet the side of Chicago seen only by natives goes diliapdated until no longer safe/useable.

It's high time this Mayor started docusing some attention on OUR city

Paula / October 6, 2005 8:34 AM

I'll also put in my vote for Howard - it's always stinky and the stairways are pretty gross.

Marc / October 6, 2005 8:45 AM

I love the idea of the community around an 'El' stop getting together to give them a fresh coat of paint and a cleaning, and I would volunteer to help clean the Bryn Mawr stop.

However, if this becomes a regular occurence how long will it be before the CTA capitalizes on it the same way as the Park District has with the yearly "clean and green?"

C-Note / October 6, 2005 9:15 AM

Vit - I guess you missed the two "creepy"s, the three "scary"s, the one "horrific", and the one "concerned for my safety" in the posts before mine, jagoff. Who's got the reading comprehension problem now, you little piece of shit?

anne / October 6, 2005 9:23 AM

Argyle has some of the same "wading" problems when it rains hard, but often, there's more of a "mysterious dripping fluid" problem with the pipes over the stairs. Who put pipes there? What do they carry? Why are they _always_ dripping (even during a drought) right in the center of the stairs so you can't avoid it and you get weird mystery funky water on your head? I'm just asking.

mike / October 6, 2005 9:30 AM

Analogy:
"Scary lighting" at Grand is to "white guy afraid of el station" as "you little piece of shit" is to "constructive non-race-card-playing mature individual seeks intelligent debate among his peers."

vit / October 6, 2005 9:31 AM

and who is the 'jagoff' throwing in the race card?

Carrie / October 6, 2005 9:34 AM

This is not quite off-topic since many of the red line stops are fairly nasty, but what about the trains themselves? Compared to all the other lines, the red line trains are always the ones with food and garbage all over the floors and seats, and grease smeared over all the windows. Since it's such a long run, can't the CTA spend 10 min at Howard and at 95th and take a broom and bottle of Windex to the train?

Katie / October 6, 2005 9:40 AM

I'm very happy to hear that someone is taking the time to fix up the Thorndale stop. It always smells like pea and it is even worse when it rains. Not to mention the leaking! No one can stand in the rain/heat shelter when it rains, which is just silly!

mike / October 6, 2005 9:45 AM

Is there a link to this news about Thorndale? Most importantly, will they get rid of the swinging doors? I hate touching them!

Thad / October 6, 2005 9:47 AM

Hey C-Note, thanks for the race enlightenment. You seem to imply that no non-white people are creeped out by dark, dank El stations. Is that correct? If so, I find that hard to believe. In fact, I have a few non-white friends, and they get creeped out all the same, too, at some of the El stations, including those in non-white areas.

missmolly / October 6, 2005 9:53 AM

Division (Blue) for SURE! That was my old stop and the pools of grime and "Bum Square Park" don’t' add to the cleanliness!! Of course, Chicago (Blue) which is my stop now, is only marginally better. I'm never afraid of the people or for my safety on the el, just afraid of what I might step in.

waleeta / October 6, 2005 9:57 AM

I am pretty sure filth and fear affect all races and ethnicities. Clean them all up. Make them all safer. Everyone is happy.

MC High Life / October 6, 2005 10:10 AM

Dirty CTA stations and race? Please. What we really should be talking about is this Holmes-Cruise pregnancy.

Remember when Dawson hit Joey with that piece of firewood? I'm betting Tom Cruise brought that up with her at some point.

eep / October 6, 2005 10:18 AM

MC High Life, I think I love you. Thanks for making me laugh this morning.

Leah / October 6, 2005 10:19 AM

Thorndale--yes, please fix it. In the morning I walk up to Granville (in part to get my coffee) but in part because I'd rather wait at the Granville Station than Thorndale.

What about the connecting hall between Red & Blue at Washington? Division on the blue line was bad when I lived there, Chicago on the blue line. It is hard to pick just one.

jk1 / October 6, 2005 10:21 AM

Even though Sheridan is my 'home' stop and in need of some repair (They did just add some colorful art and a clock, but the aforementioned flooding problem is still unaddressed...), I definitely agree that Howard, Grand and both Division stations could use a lot of work. However, I hope that if they DO renovate, they come up with something other than the 'McDonald's Bathroom' motif that dominates Lake, Jackson and Chicago. It may be an improvement over what was, but it still screams 'cheap' and 'tacky' to me. Division definitely needs work on drainage at the base of the stairwells.

As to the issue of safety, personally I never feel threatened, especially on the CTA. However, I'm a burly guy who doesn't take crap from people. On the other hand, I don't think it's unreasonable for people to feel uneasy on transit, especially in facilities that are poorly lit, have no real security and are teeming with mentally unstable people who are frequently under the influence of something somewhat stronger than a cup of coffee. While I can tell the ragged homeless guy who gets into my face to 'Fuck off' and feel confident that he'll back down, my wife who's 5'2", 105lbs isn't going to have the same latitude. If someone keeps pressing her, what is her recourse? CTA security is a joke, the lunatics have the run of the system. It shouldn't be a surprise that some people tire of having to feel on guard when they are on transit, because no one has their backs.

Personally, I don't think that there are many actual assaults in the dank, shadowy subway stations people have been talking about. It's rare for the beggars to seek more than to intimidate when their initial 'friendly' approach is rebuffed. Still, even if there is no contact, these encounters happen a lot and are physical in nature. If you're small of stature, unfamiliar with the system or just not used to dealing with physical confrontations, I don't blame a person for feeling wary at all.

e_five / October 6, 2005 10:29 AM

In order:

1. Morse (Red)
2. Harrison (Red)
3. Diversey (Brown)
4. Belmont (Red/Brown)
5. Division (Blue)
6. Damen (Brown)
7. Howard (Red)
8. California (Blue)
9. Western (Blue)
10. Grand (Red)

Just close Lawrence, Wellington and Jarvis. Consider adding a Halsted station on the Brown line.

brian / October 6, 2005 10:44 AM

Don't you see it the "white" stops that are all nasty and gross. Pick up after yourself white people! Too good to throw your garbage in a can? I don't see anybody bitching about "black" stops cause those are clean and well maintained by people who respect their environment.

jk1 / October 6, 2005 10:57 AM

By the way, I used to live near Wilson and I would do anything I could to avoid that stop. It really could be a great stop if restored to original condition, with the vaulted lobby and wide staircase, but needless to say, it will never be more than trolling grounds for bums given it's prime location in Shillerville...

I also agree with the previous poster, they really should research a stop on the Brown line between Armitage and Sedgewick. Given all of the recent development, you'd think it'd be pretty popular. At the least, creating a North Avenue Local route from Wicker Park to the Historical Society might generate a lot of new fares. Alternately, the local businesses might do well to create a trolley system that circulates in the area. It's really not so bad to walk from one of the current El stops when the weather is good, but once it gets cold, it's a daunting proposition. For that matter, I wonder if anyone has looked into a station at Division on the Brown line. It's pretty obvious that ugly race/class based motives kept a station from being built before, seeing that Cabrini was still fully constituted. Given recent developments though, it'd be interesting to review whether there would be demand for one now. On the other hand, the money would probably be better spent on more express routes throughout the city, similar to the X55 and the X80.

Horsemaster Ralph / October 6, 2005 11:05 AM

Division Blue stop is indeed a cesspool. This noble Steed utilizes its chambers on a highly regular basis to gain access to the innerds of the Twon and never idly am stepping upon various Surfaces weathered by lies, counterfeiting and vomited blood. Tis a site that could bring a tear to the eye of the grooviest angel. That is why Horsemaster has taken it upon himselves as a Quiet quest to not so much clean as get provisions boots others on epeople feet before stepping in space only way survive dignity magic hat. I applaud Lennie Brisco for his certain actions and dare naysayers to look him in the eye without crying. Be brave Muncie

Elmer / October 6, 2005 11:08 AM

Cleaning up some of the El stations isn't a bad idea, but it doesn't make sense when there remain a handful of stations that are severely haunted. Why does the city insist on ignoring this?

Biz / October 6, 2005 11:33 AM

Okay, the Chicago stop on the blue line is slightly better than the Division one. BUT one time somebody tagged the (supposed to be white) walls of the Chicago stop with a bunch of graffiti, and the walls were so dirty that they painted over it with BROWN paint. Ew.

j / October 6, 2005 11:43 AM

Brian- you're an idiot.

Nobody will say that the "black" stops are dirty because it's not pollitically acceptable to do so.

Poor stops are dirty, regardless of race.

Andrew / October 6, 2005 12:00 PM

I don't understand this whole "white stop" vs. "black stop" thing. Is Berwyn a white stop? Is Thorndale or Bryn Mawr? Or Howard? Does that make Argyle and China Town "yellow stops?" And where are the "brown stops" for the Latinos? Good grief.

People of all races use all these stations. It is ridiculous to inject race into a discussion of which CTA stations could use some cleaning up. They all could. The question is which ones need it most.

waleeta / October 6, 2005 12:06 PM

AH - word.

brian / October 6, 2005 12:16 PM

I ride the green line and the south side red line and guess what all my stops are clean, lit, and well maintained. No white people either.

Katie / October 6, 2005 12:24 PM

mike,

here is the info on the thorndale clean-up.

http://www.bettertransit.com/

there is also a flyer posted in the window of Castle Liquors.

leah / October 6, 2005 12:35 PM

How can you tell the skin color of the people who above noted they were skeeved out and/or scared of some of the L stops purely based on what they wrote? I'm just sayin'.

Now! I wonder who is going to walk Katie down the aisle since her pops is in the slammer for slingin' the crack rock? Hm?

Oh wait, Katie is prego, not Joey. Reality, TV, reality tv, hmph. So much to keep straight.

jen / October 6, 2005 12:53 PM

e-five - wasn't the western blue line stop just renovated ... say, 5 years ago?

jk1 - there did used to be a division brown line stop.... back in the 40's:
http://www.chicago-l.org/maps/route/maps/1946map.jpg
i always find that map fascinating. note the blue line out to humboldt park, and the multiple stops on the skokie swift.

and i don't know what station i'd clean up. i'm generally not that disgusted by the stations. i mostly can't wait until they get that fucking esclator at clark & lake repaired, though. "late november" can't come soon enough. single file line, bitches!

kt / October 6, 2005 1:38 PM

maybe the milwaukee/western stop was recently renovated but the congress/western stop is a mess. i'm waiting for the day the ramp finally collapses from the extra weight of the concrete they've used to patch the holes in it.

Jeremy / October 6, 2005 1:44 PM

I was wondering, as well, which Western Blue Line stop e-five meant. The Western/Milwaukee stop is really nice. But, I haven't been to either the Congress or Douglas Western stops, so, were you referring to one of these?

Andrew / October 6, 2005 2:11 PM

I thought there were only such things as Blue, Purple, Brown, Orange, Red, and Green stops.

The bottom of the North stairs off the Bryn Mawr Red Line platform makes my top 5 list of stankiest places. I will not reveal the other four places on said list, because I'm a cruel, suspense-loving person.

Jeremy / October 6, 2005 3:09 PM

On the Blue Line, there are 3 Western stations. One on the O'Hare branch, one on the Forest Park Branch (formerly Congress) and one on the 54/Cermak (formerly Douglas).

Erica / October 6, 2005 3:12 PM

I want all subways to look like Jackson redline stop and all elevated platforms to look like Western/Armitage blueline or the Garfield Park Conservatory stop – in terms of newness, brightness, etc.

Craig / October 6, 2005 3:24 PM

"I ride the green line and the south side red line and... all my stops are clean, lit, and well maintained..."

Plain & simple: frequency of use. The ridership on those lines is significantly less than the that of the lines that run though more densely populated neighborhoods.

Nate Malby / October 6, 2005 3:54 PM

The rumor mill was reporting an alligator sighting at the Ashland/63rd stop on the Green Line about two months ago. Can anybody confirm?

brian / October 6, 2005 3:58 PM

Nate that alligator ate my ticket I seen him. Theres only two things moving at 63rd and Ashland at night, Aligators and aligator food.

Emilie / October 6, 2005 4:38 PM

A bit tangential, I know, but to add to what Craig said about DC's luxe Metro digs...the thing that kills me everytime I'm there is that it was designed by Harry Weese. OUR Harry. Of the "Chicago Seven" architects.

They were smart enough to import Chicago talent, and we're stuck with the dark, crusty, oozing remains of late ninteenth-century engineering.

MC High Life / October 6, 2005 4:38 PM

Plain & simple: frequency of use. The ridership on those lines is significantly less than the that of the lines that run though more densely populated neighborhoods.

Not true for the Dan Ryan branch. Not counting the 95th end-of-line station, the seven stations between 87th and Sox-35 average about 4,700 weekday riders. The first 7 stations on the North Side Main (Jarvis to Berwyn) average about 3,300 weekday riders.

In fact, you have to include all the stations (including Howard) down to BELMONT to get the same average ridership as the Dan Ryan branch.

Less ridership indeed...

MikeH / October 6, 2005 6:56 PM

e_five -

Why would you have the Lawrence stop closed? It's a pretty bustling area there with The Green Mill, the Aragon, the Riviera and the whole Borders/FKA Goldblatt's thing...

Moon / October 6, 2005 7:21 PM

Let's not talk about the stations.

Let's talk about why the CTA has such a hardon for this new Chicago Pass or whatever the hell they call it.

Is this some sort of Patriot Act-track everybody move or what?

For those of us that get subsidized transit checks,it doesn't work, because my company is not going to start direct deposit for the few employees that use the CTA. The Metra doesn't have this program, why the CTA? Is this like the sleazy Bally Health Club memberships where you continue to pay monthly even though you don't use it?

/blatant hijack attempt of this topic

Craig / October 6, 2005 8:44 PM

"...the seven stations between 87th and Sox-35 average about 4,700 weekday riders. The first 7 stations on the North Side Main (Jarvis to Berwyn) average about 3,300 weekday riders..."

Never mind that I was referring to "densely populated neighborhoods" and the original poster was bragging about clean Green Line stations-- but based on your numbers, here's the math:

Jarvis to Berwyn is 2.5 miles, equal to 1320 riders/mile.
87th to 35th is 6.5 miles, equal to 723 riders/mile.

Less ridership, indeed.

yea right / October 6, 2005 9:40 PM

boy the station that really needs work is the one at Addison and Central!

you know, the one on the "translucent line" that connects the far NW side with the blue/red/brown/purple lines?

that station, it's such a mess that I can't even see it!

e_five / October 6, 2005 9:43 PM

Plain & simple: frequency of use. The ridership on those lines is significantly less than the that of the lines that run though more densely populated neighborhoods.
Another factor is that the Green Line was completely shut down and refurbished in 1996 or so, and the Dan Ryan line was opened in 1969. Some of the stations on the North Side Red Line were built in 1900 (Armitage, Fullerton, Diversey and Belmont). The stations north of Wilson (with the exceptions of Loyola and Granville which were built in 1982) were built in the early 1920s when the line was elevated.

e_five / October 6, 2005 9:56 PM

Why would you have the Lawrence stop closed? It's a pretty bustling area there with The Green Mill, the Aragon, the Riviera and the whole Borders/FKA Goldblatt's thing...

Maybe the Lawrence and Wilson stations could be combined at Broadway or something. I have to sit through 19 stations to go from Granville to Harrison (9.1 miles), and I have to listen to the recorded "Doors closing" announcement at least 38 times a day, at least 190 times a week. The trip takes a minimum of 33 minutes each way and as long as 48 minutes when the trains are crowded because it takes an extra 15-20 seconds per stop to let everyone in and out. The Broadway and Sheridan bus lines run parallel. The point of the El is Rapid Transit, not door to door service-- that's what the busses are for. The stations should be every 1/2 mile, not every two blocks.

ry / October 6, 2005 10:14 PM

Never mind that I was referring to "densely populated neighborhoods" and the original poster was bragging about clean Green Line stations-- but based on your numbers, here's the math:

Jarvis to Berwyn is 2.5 miles, equal to 1320 riders/mile.
87th to 35th is 6.5 miles, equal to 723 riders/mile.

I fail to see why this analysis is relevant. After all the el platforms aren't spread over this area, just the riders. If there are more riders at same amount of stops you would expect more mess.

That being said I ride both the north and south side el lines with about equal frequency and I can't really tell the difference in cleanliness.

e_five / October 6, 2005 10:28 PM

Jarvis to Berwyn is 2.5 miles, equal to 1320 riders/mile.
87th to 35th is 6.5 miles, equal to 723 riders/mile.

Not to mention that the Green and Red Lines run parallel only a few blocks apart from 51st to the Loop.

kim / October 7, 2005 2:22 AM

I agree with those who have mentioned the Wilson red line stop. A couple years ago Chicago Magazine voted it one of the "Ten Smelliest Places" in the city and it has only gotten worse since.

MC High Life / October 7, 2005 8:26 AM

ry: Right on. Customers per mile is irrelevant in a conversation about riders per station. Dan Ryan stations service more riders on average than North Main stations, plain and simple. If these stations can keep it clean with more customers, why can't the North Main?

Moon: I got transit checks from my company for a while (now we are on direct deposit) and I would have to go to the CTA headquarters every few months to add them to my card. A hassle but wort hthe tax savings. If you are concerend about Patriot Act mumbo-jumbo, get a regular Chicago Card and simply not register it. Then it works more or less like the regular magnetic fare cards.

Mike / October 7, 2005 9:16 AM

People who want to close stations never want to close the ones they use. e_five, shouldn't your Granville station be closed too, since it's only two blocks north of Thorndale (which is four blocks from Bryn Mawr)? Your commute isn't long because of stations being too close together ... it's long because (a) the Red Line is one big slow zone, and (b) we don't have (and unfortunately never will have) real express trains.

Show me the Money / October 7, 2005 9:27 AM

OK folks. CTA announced that it was not going to cut service, but that it was transferring $30 million from its capital budget to do so. That means $30 million less next year and each year after that to pay for these station upgrades (flooding, roofs, tile, you name it). You can bitch all you want about the problem, but the people who have the power to do something about it are your state elected officials, because CTA is a creation of state government. LINK

The power to fix it is in YOUR hands if you tell them to fix it.

Moon / October 7, 2005 9:41 AM

Thanks, MC High Life.

I wonder why they don't advertise that?

Steve / October 7, 2005 9:43 AM

Patriot Act concerns? I thought everyone knew to take a cab after committing a crime or engaging in activities that Ashcroft and Alberto might regard as suspicious!

vit / October 7, 2005 10:12 AM

not to mention they DO still let you pay cash to ride the 'el'

kim / October 7, 2005 10:27 AM

so, does this make anyone else want to start something big to change this? i've been investigating groups that would get donations together from corporations and individuals to modernize, clean up and beautiful our L stops.

what's funny is that, when i contacted the cta, nobody bothers to call me back when i say, "i just want to volunteer to clean up your stations!"

interested in hearing if anyone else has thought seriously about this too. this is a main artery of our city so why not have it exemplify what a creative and beautiful town this can be?

e_five / October 7, 2005 10:28 AM

Mike-- Trust me, I've considered my own bias. If they shut Granville and left Thorndale open, there'd be no station from Thorndale (5900 N.) to Loyola (6525 N.), which would be the largest gap between stations north of Wilson. If they shut Thorndale, which has a smaller business area than Granville, no bus service (Granville does during overnights and rush hour), an older station than Granville, and smaller surrounding population density than Granville, that would solve your problem.

vit / October 7, 2005 10:43 AM

I'd be totally on board if we could organize a 'clean up the division blue stop' crew.

vit / October 7, 2005 10:43 AM

I'd be totally on board if we could organize a 'clean up the division blue stop' crew.

C-Note / October 7, 2005 11:03 AM

Vit- why do you have to wait, tough guy? Why don't you just go and clean it up yourself? That's why shit never gets done in the first place. Why don't you organize a cleanup crew yourself, and then get "totally on board"? Because you have zero fucking initiative. You're a fucking loser and you fucking know it, so deal with it.

Craig / October 7, 2005 11:11 AM

C-Note is harshing my mellow.

Mike / October 7, 2005 11:13 AM

e_five ... I understand about Granville. The last thing I'd want is that or any station to be closed. Shutting el stations kills business and crime increases. Shutting Thorndale or Granville would seriously hurt an area that's already devoid of good retail and nightlife/foot traffic. Lawrence/Broadway is developing, finally - - so they'll never close Lawrence. I guess we could argue about it, but at the end of the day, the CTA won't be closing any of the stations you mentioned. Imagine no Granville stop when the 11 story building at G'ville/B'way goes in. Imagine no Thorndale stop when the Lofts go in at the old substation on Ardmore and the three new condo bldgs on Elmdale and Magnoilia are full. Wellington is a busy station and it's right next to an emergency-call hospital. Even though it's close to Diversey, it serves a need. I think closing stops to make your commute faster is less important than fixing the tracks and eliminating all of the slow zones along the Red. Granville to Belmont is just as many stops as the Brown Line's Francisco to Belmont ... much faster on the Brown, and the distances are nearly equal - - about 4 miles. Again, if only we had real express trains. I dream of a 20-minute commute ...

Nate Malby / October 7, 2005 12:30 PM

interested in hearing if anyone else has thought seriously about this too. this is a main artery of our city so why not have it exemplify what a creative and beautiful town this can be?

but it can also be a scary, ugly town... haven't you ever seen Gangs of New York??

savgpncl / October 7, 2005 12:38 PM

I understand the Edgewater Community Council will be cleaning and painting the Thorndale EL-stop tomorrow. Well intentioned gesture but forgive me if I question why on earth you would want to do that for the CTA. They steam clean the platforms and have their own painters. I don't get it.

Spaceman Spiff / October 7, 2005 2:14 PM

I vote for not cleaning up the Grand RL stop. I like seeing those loud mouth tourists hush up and bunch together in fear. Serves 'em right, damn slow sidewalk hogs!

kim / October 7, 2005 3:46 PM

wha? yeah, i saw gangs of new york and it was about...new york, actually.

Richard Mulder / October 8, 2005 12:08 PM

LOL huh??

vit / October 8, 2005 2:04 PM

c-note -- dear god sweetie, take it down a notch would you? that much anger can't be good for you (btw, I'm not a guy either, and have never claimed any sort of toughness). But hey, if it makes you feel better about your self to scream at some random stranger on the internet then continue to shriek away.

frank / October 11, 2005 1:31 PM

Where the redline and the brown line split, notrh of belmont. there is building that belongs to the cta. on the roof you there is a bright pink sex toy. let's see how long it takes for the cta to throw it away. I have noticed it a month ago and it was still there this morning.
are there any earlier account of the "toy"?

Timothy Baumann / October 28, 2005 3:47 PM

I really am impressed by your site. Very original & interesting content. Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions: http://www.useful-information.info/quotations/life-quotes.html , although I am bringing a change of underwear , Few people are capable of expressing

KEKE / December 27, 2005 12:29 AM

IM APPAULED 2% OF PEOPLE SAID WILSON REDLINE STOP!!!! THAT STOP IS HORRIBLE!!!! I DID SECURITY AT THAT STOP FOR 6 WEEKS AND IT WAS A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE!!! NOT TO MENTION THE DEATH, RAPE AND ASS WHIPPING THREATS I RECEIVED DAILY!!! THERE WERE LEAKS(OF GOD KNOWS WHAT) HOMELESS FORUMS, TURNSTYLE JUMPERS AND LETS NOT FORGET THE INFAMOUS 15 POUND TAILESS RAT THAT SCURRIED THE STEPS EVERY 5 MINUTES!!!!

adam / October 23, 2006 12:28 PM

i'm just glad i can pay two bucks to go just about anywhere...

i'm sure the whole system could use a good cleaning, and upgrades/complete renovations. but they apparently have trouble enough with operating expenses than to actually do anything extra. i do however agree with the comment made about millenium park.

by the way, i love this whole black v. white (or vice versa) crap. very entertaining. its like the british v. america thing... ah... how i love the internet.

"John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory":

Normal Person+Anonymity+Audience=Total Fuckwad