Re: (rshsdepot) Union Station - Chicago, IL - UPDATE

["Eric Miller" <empirebuilder_@_earthlink.net>]

why is the story from the sun times but the graphic from the tribune? it
won't open.


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>
To: "RSHS Depot" <rshsdepot_@_lists.railfan.net>
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 12:22 PM
Subject: (rshsdepot) Union Station - Chicago, IL - UPDATE


> Link to graphic of renovation plans:
>
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-020207unionstation-graphic.graphi
> c
>
> Union Station high-rise gets panel endorsement
>
> February 8, 2002
>
> BY DAVID ROEDER BUSINESS REPORTER
> Chicago Sun-Times
>
> A city commission Thursday recommended landmark status for Union Station,
> Chicago's last train terminal to recall the grandeur of early 20th century
> rail travel, and endorsed a plan to add 18 stories to the building.
>
> The Commission on Chicago Landmarks agreed that the proposal from the
> station's owner, Amtrak, and development partner Prime Group Realty Trust
> would preserve the station's architectural heritage and fulfill the intent
> of its original designers, the firm of Daniel Burnham. The square-block
> building on the southwest edge of downtown originally was supposed to
> include a high-rise, but the railroads that owned it in the 1920s scrapped
> that part of the construction.
>
> Amtrak and Prime Group proposed adding the high-rise in the middle of the
> eight-story structure while preserving the Great Hall waiting room with
its
> ornate skylight. The high-rise, although massive in appearance, will have
a
> hollow core and won't block sunlight to the Great Hall.
>
> The design feature results in each floor being about 40,000 square feet, a
> size the developer believes is best suited to today's market. The plan
calls
> for the tower to hold about 150 luxury condominiums, a 300-room hotel to
be
> operated by a division of Hilton Hotels Corp., about 480,000 square feet
of
> office space, and new stores and restaurants.
>
> Commission members and city officials lauded the design for its
faithfulness
> to Union Station's Neo-classical roots, especially its thick limestone
> columns. The masonry addition would be the work of Lucien Lagrange, known
> for his Park Tower hotel and condominium skyscraper at 800 N. Michigan and
> for historic renovations.
>
> City Planning Commissioner Alicia Berg praised the development team for a
> plan that respects the "monumental building'' while bringing it more
> commerce. "Union Station must be preserved and protected as a tribute to
the
> critical role the railroads played in Chicago's development,'' she said.
>
> Still, the project, costing perhaps $200 million, faces enormous financial
> hurdles. The market for new hotels downtown is dormant, demand for office
> space is sluggish, and lenders are viewing condo projects with suspicions
> about an overbuilt market.
>
> Prime Group President Richard Curto said he hopes work at Union Station
can
> start later this year and that the project will be timed for the next
upturn
> in the economy. He said financing details must wait until the plan gets
> final city approval.
>
> The landmark commission's vote is a recommendation to the City Council,
> which has the final say on the project. In addition, the Chicago Plan
> Commission must weigh in on the plans.
>
> Curto said the project can be completed faster and cheaper than most
> high-rises because no excavation is required. Union Station's foundation
and
> supports were designed for a high-rise. He said he hopes for completion by
> late 2004.
>
> LANDMARKS IN THE LIFE OF UNION STATION
>
> 1913-25: Constructed for consortium of railroads.
>
> 1969: Train shed and concourse east of station torn down for riverfront
> office building.
>
> 1989: Developers propose twin 24-story towers atop station. Souring
economy
> kills plan.
>
> 1992: Station rehabbed in two-year, $32 million project.
>
> 2002: City agency backs landmark designation and a proposed 18-story
> addition for condominiums, offices, hotel rooms and retail space.
>
>
>

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