Damen Green Line station reopens after decades long closure

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Damen Green Line Station on the Near West Side officially reopened on August 5, after a nearly century-long closure.

The newly revamped station will improve accessibility to nearby United Center while spurring local growth, creating job opportunities, and increasing commuter options for local residents.

According to a statement from the mayor's office, the modernized Damen Green Line Station fills a 1.5-mile service gap between the existing Ashland and California stops, catering to the Kinzie Industrial Corridor, the United Center, Malcolm X College, and the expanding Near West Side residential area.

The station provides quick access to CTA buses, walking paths, and bike-sharing options. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has installed the city's 1,000th Divvy station adjacent to the new station, offering eco-friendly transportation choices for residents.

The CTA and CDOT reportedly collaborated closely on the $80 million TIF-funded project, with additional support from construction company F.H. Paschen and Chicago-based architecture firm Perkins & Will, according to the mayor's office.

The station features a mural by artist Folayemi Wilson, commissioned by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), celebrating the Near West Side's diverse cultural communities.

"This new station is a transformational achievement for our city," stated Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement. "The eagerly-awaited Damen Green Line on the Near West Side of Chicago will generate a ripple effect in this neighborhood, attracting future investments for a vibrant hub of mixed-use developments."

CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. added, "[The] Damen Green Line is more than just a rail station. It is an impressive, modern, and accessible entryway to Chicago's West Side, providing enhanced connections to transit and opportunities for everyone living and working in the nearby communities."