May 05--A Chicago Transit Authority proposal could have the Aragon Ballroom rocking more than usual, but not because of the bands.
The CTA has proposed closing the Lawrence "L" stop in the Uptown neighborhood for three to four years to renovate the station and rebuild about a mile of Red Line track. The proposed $1.3 billion construction, which could start as early as 2017 and last five years, could bring noise, dust and street closures to the area that music venues the Aragon, the Riviera Theatre and the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge call home.
The Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., would likely be the most affected by the construction and station closure because it is next to the Lawrence stop. Aragon general manager Erasmo Ibarra said he's been working with the CTA for months, including watching workers use equipment to test the current vibration levels inside and outside his building.
A CTA assessment released last week about how the project could affect the neighborhood predicted that vibration levels during construction would be slightly higher than the vibrations the Aragon currently experiences being next to the busy train station.
And though he said he would plan to seal the windows to keep construction dust out, Ibarra said the closure of the station itself could have the biggest impact on business. Ibarra said about 70 percent of his patrons use the Red Line to get to shows, and he's considering operating shuttles from the nearby Wilson Red Line stop.
"Time will tell," Ibarra said about the proposed project. "I am a little concerned that people will be like, 'Oh, I can't find parking and might just not go (to the Aragon), period.'"
The CTA is holding a public meeting about the proposed project 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 14 at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway. The CTA will also accept written comments about the proposal through May 29.
The project is projected to cost $1.9 billion, factoring in the cost of a proposed flyover at the Belmont Red Line stop in the Lakeview neighborhood. The CTA has identified about $50 million in funding so far, CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase said.
"We have a lot of money to secure for this project," Chase said.
Under the proposal, the CTA would rebuild the track between the Lawrence station and the Bryn Mawr station to the north. The agency would also renovate the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stops by widening the platforms, improving the lighting and adding elevators to the stations so they are accessible for riders in wheelchairs.
In the first phase of construction, expected to last 18 months, the CTA would close the Lawrence station and the Berwyn station. In the second phase of construction, expected to last 18 to 24 months, the Lawrence stop would remain closed; the Argyle station to the north would close, while the Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations farther north would be open but under construction.
The Wilson stop, the Lawrence Red Line stop's neighbor to the south, would remain open during construction, the CTA said. The Wilson stop is currently undergoing a $203 million renovation that is expected to be complete by the end of 2017.
Jerry Mickelson, co-founder of Chicago-based concert promoter Jam Productions and co-manager of the Riviera Theatre, said he was not aware of the proposed project but said the Lawrence Red Line stop, which opened in 1923, could use a makeover.
"I am not sure it will take as long as three years to redo Lawrence but station upgrades will be a major improvement to the Uptown Entertainment District," Mickelson said in an email. "The Wilson station will be open during this time so I anticipate our fans walking a few extra blocks to get to Jam's concerts."
Dave Jemilo, owner of the Green Mill, which is around the corner from the Lawrence stop, said his local customers also will probably walk from the Wilson stop. But he said he's not sure his out-of-town customers will easily figure out how to get to his jazz club from the Red Line.
"It will be a little bit of a bummer," Jemilo said about the proposed station closure. "But if it needs fixing, it needs fixing and it takes time."
tswartz@tribpub.com
