I'd like to remind you all of the upcoming community meeting on Saturday April 11th from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the gymnasium at the Wicker Park Field House, to discuss the CTA's Blue Line improvement project and how it will affect our ward.
Funds from President Obama's federal stimulus package will finance a much-needed CTA capital improvement project, part of which is in our ward. The CTA will improve the Blue Line subway tracks that run roughly from Paulina Street to Halsted by installing new rails, replacing old rail ties, and repairing the concrete walls. The improvements will eliminate "slow zones" in the subway, reducing commute time and allowing for more trains to run on the lines.
The first leg of the project will begin on April 17th, 2009, and will be the one that primarily affects our ward. Construction vehicles will utilize properties on North Moorman Street and the 1300 block of North Wolcott Avenue. During these times, heavy construction equipment will make considerable noise. However, there will be no demolition, and no dust from the work. We understand that this project will cause inconveniences in the neighborhood, and ask the community to please bear with us during this important project.
In order to hear feedback and concerns from you concerning this project, the CTA and my office will hold a community meeting on Saturday April 11th from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the gymnasium at the Wicker Park Field House. At this meeting, representatives from the CTA will explain more specifically the details and impacts of the project. We want to hear your concerns so that we can move through this project with the least possible inconvenience.
The CTA has established a community hotline (312-681-3091; Jeff Wilson is the community affairs liaison to speak to) for this project, which you can call starting April 8th, 2009 with questions and complaints. Our office is also a resource. You can contact Conor Gaffney at (773) 278-0101 with any questions or concerns.
I hope to see you Saturday April 11th at the community meeting. Please call my office (773) 278-0101 with any questions.
Sincerely,
Manny Flores,
Alderman, 1st Ward