From The Store To Your Door(Maybe)

[sw4400]

I read the Sun-Times a day or two back and saw an article about Huberman saying the CTA is in discussions with a Grocery Store to build an "L" Station inside the store. What are your thoughts on this idea and where do you think this store is(since Huberman wouldn't disclose the location or name)?

Personally, working for Jewel, I think it is one of our stores...

[Busjack]

• It probably has "carneceria y fruteria" somewhere in its name.
  
• Unless Huberman is also curing the "food desert" problem, I wouldn't bet on the South Side Green Line. The west side one might be a better bet (all the talk about a Pulaski superstation and the like).
  
• Probably not a Garden Fresh Market.
  
• There is the Dominick's at Fullerton and Sheffield, but I don't think it is expanding east. One also at about 6000 N. Broadway. Also, if they ever finish the Howard Station connection to the bridge over the bus terminal chasm to the Dominick's there. Anyone know of any other existing food stores near the L? (I don't count across the frontage road from the Dan Ryan.)
  

[sw4400]

Could this also have something to do with the "Circle Line" proposed awhile back? Or perhaps the Ashland Subway also proposed? Across from my store on Lincoln, we have a vacant lot formerly used by a gas station. Now it's just a fenced up project that looks like it's been abandoned. A 8-Car Subway station can run from under that site, under Lincoln into my store. But if that is the case, I wonder what line would use it... IMO it would have to be the Blue, Brown, Red, or Purple. Green is too far from there, as is Yellow and Pink.

[Busjack]

Could this also have something to do with the "Circle Line" proposed awhile back? Or perhaps the Ashland Subway also proposed?

But then the earliest you could be speaking is Olympic Foods (i.e, if either subway is completed, you are talking at least into that timeframe).

The hint from the article that you are heading in the wrong direction is:

"It would allow us to replace the station at no cost," said Huberman...

Hence, pick an existing L station that needs replacement. Kills Brown Line. Makes the North Side red line more possible, maybe Milwaukee-Damen.

[jajuan]

• It probably has "carneceria y fruteria" somewhere in its name.
  
• Unless Huberman is also curing the "food desert" problem, I wouldn't bet on the South Side Green Line. The west side one might be a better bet (all the talk about a Pulaski superstation and the like).
  
• Probably not a Garden Fresh Market.
  
• There is the Dominick's at Fullerton and Sheffield, but I don't think it is expanding east. One also at about 6000 N. Broadway. Also, if they ever finish the Howard Station connection to the bridge over the bus terminal chasm to the Dominick's there. Anyone know of any other existing food stores near the L? (I don't count across the frontage road from the Dan Ryan.)
  

There's the Jewel on Broadway and Berwyn across from the Berwyn Red Line station, the Jewel on Wabash and Roosevelt beneath the Roosevelt Orange/Green line station, and the Jewel on Roosevelt and Ashland which is next to the Pink line tracks although there is no station there. The next closest station there is the Polk station.

[Busjack]

There's the Jewel on Broadway and Berwyn across from the Berwyn Red Line station

Possible. I thought the Delray Farms was closer, but debatable.

the Jewel on Wabash and Roosevelt beneath the Roosevelt Orange/Green line station, and the Jewel on Roosevelt and Ashland which is next to the Pink line tracks although there is no station there. The next closest station there is the Polk station.

The "replace station" quote, which intervened, makes those questionable (and also makes me take down my Lake St. guess).

But the Berwyn and Thorndale guesses look better to me.

There is also the Wilson Yards conundrum.

[jajuan]

Possible. I thought the Delray Farms was closer, but debatable.The "replace station" quote, which intervened, makes those questionable (and also makes me take down my Lake St. guess).

But the Berwyn and Thorndale guesses look better to me.

There is also the Wilson Yards conundrum.

Ok, I missed the replace station quote. I responded to your question about grocery stores near the L without taking that part into account.

[Busjack]

Ok, I missed the replace station quote. I responded to your question about grocery stores near the L without taking that part into account.

Recognized.

Another idea to throw into the pot--would an established retailer want to face the risk that its parking lot would be turned into a Park and Ride (by default)? Or the ill will caused by the Lincoln Park Pirates? I think it would have to be a merchant who saw considerable walk in trade (or trade with those walking between the station and the bus stop).

[jajuan]

Recognized.

Another idea to throw into the pot--would an established retailer want to face the risk that its parking lot would be turned into a Park and Ride (by default)?

It's a very valid question. It's the first thing that popped in my mind in thinking that it's doubtful to me that this will actually come into play beyond any planning stage.

[Guest]

Heres a thought of the grocery store idea! "Did you get me my Cheese Whiz boy??" :)

[Zol87]

I think it's either Howard or Fullerton. Both are currently under construction and are also located right next to a Grocery Store.

[Busjack]

I think it's either Howard or Fullerton. Both are currently under construction and are also located right next to a Grocery Store.

Nope, because both have station houses under construction. Also, to get to the Dominick's from the Howard bus terminal, you would have to scale the wall of shops to the west of the terminal to get to the shopping center parking lot on the higher level.

[RIPTA42]

Possible. I thought the Delray Farms was closer, but debatable.

Delray Farms is closed.

[Busjack]

This Tribune article suggests some candidates for the stations.

However, having first read the press releases, this seems to be post hoc to justify the real estate broker contract.

P.S., jajuan and I got one right.

[MVTArider]

Let me make sure I got this right, The el train (at some stop) would pull in and the riders can get off, go down the escalator/stairs/elevator thru the turnstiles and then have doors that go right into a supermarket and doors to go out to the street too? That sounds like a really cool idea I would imagine it would be something like the Wal-Mart in Faribault MN was where there was a parking lot entrance and then the mall entrance where you could walk right in from the mall without going outside. The only problem I can think of that would need to be addressed would be the shopping carts. (You wouldn't want the train full of people bringing home their plunder in the store's carts.) Being from Rochester NY though I know all about the various ways to keep carts from being taken from the store, so I'm sure they'll figure something out.

[BusHunter]

In this month's President's Report (PDF), there's been a change in the scheduled completion of the Bus Tracker rollout. Instead of "early 2009," the target is now "Spring of 2009."

This could be indicative of a change in the fleet retirement schedule or perhaps other issues with Bus Tracker that would lengthen the deployment schedule.

The report lists Cermak Green line as a place to pursue future economic development beside the "L". Are there plans to bring back Cermak green line? ( Was once a stop in the '70's.)

[Busjack]

The report lists Cermak Green line as a place to pursue future economic development beside the "L". Are there plans to bring back Cermak green line? ( Was once a stop in the '70's.)

I saw what you did, and it seems to justify my post hoc remark. It just seems like the Powerpoint indicated that here was some surplus CTA property to redevelop (Garfield Green Line falls within that category). Whether for a grocery store, or even to put a station there, seems a matter of speculation, although there has been plenty of talk of infill stations on the Green Line, at least at Cermak and Morgan. But the presentation just seems to justify the real estate broker contract, which, as Huberman pointed out, the AECOM report called for about 3 years ago.