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The Damen Green Line project was first announced in 2017, with a
projected completion date sometime in 2020. The original
taxpayer cost estimate was $50 million.
Mayor Brandon Johnson cut the ribbon at the new station on
Monday. He said the surrounding area had been neglected.
“But this station that is an $80 million investment, is fully
accessible, stunningly modern,” Johnson said.
Taxpayers paid more than $80 million for the station, with
funding from the Kinzie Corridor Tax Increment Financing
District.
Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. said he had been trying to
get the station opened for three mayoral administrations.
“That’s why, people, you all need to make sure aldermen like me
stay around for a long time. Because if we don’t get it done
today, we’re gonna get it done sooner or later,” Burnett said.
The CTA previously had a station at the Damen Green Line
location from 1893 to 1948.
The new station opened just in time for the Democratic National
Convention.
CTA President Dorval Carter said the Damen station does more
than fill a 1.5-mile gap between stops on the Green Line.
“It will help drive businesses and expand the customer base for
businesses located in the Kinzie corridor. It will improve
travel in the area by providing visitors with new means of
getting to Bulls and Blackhawks games, concerts and other
special events at the United Center, including the upcoming
Democratic National Convention,” Carter said.
The DNC is scheduled from Aug. 19-22. The primary sites for the
convention are the United Center and McCormick Place, both of
which are now near Green Line stops.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new station was held Monday,
following the four-day Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago.
Long delays were reported on several CTA lines during the event.
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