Beggars and Thieves: Moore and CTA

Community Meeting on CTA's Request for TIF Assistance for the Howard El Station Redevelopment Alderman Joe Moore" Friday, August 1, 2008 11:38 AM Hey Neighbor, We all know that the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is a Third World-style transit system. I've said this in the past, you know. I was the one who first realized this fact. Well, now I invite you to attend a community meeting to review a recent request by the CTA for funding from the Howard-Paulina Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to subsidize unnecessary embellishments to the still-unfinished Howard El Station. The meeting will take place on Thursday, August 7th, 7:00 p.m. at the Gale School Annex, 7650 N. Marshfield (at (Jonquil). Just like a corrupt Third World nation, the CTA has come begging for money - again! Oooo, what're you going to do, CTA, threaten us with a hyperlocal doomsday in Rogers Park if you don't get the money? What kind of game is are you playing where halfway through it you say, "Hey, Chicago, shell out more dough or you'll be stuck with a half finished station?" The CTA wants nearly $4.7 million in TIF assistance to make three unnecessary embellishments to the Howard El Station. Folks, that's YOUR tax dollars! For one freeking station! Frankly, even I don't understand this, which I will explain in a moment. But hey, didn't CTA just tell us a few weeks ago that ridership was up so much that they're thinking about ripping seats out in some cars so they're standing room only? What the hell?!? Use some of the windfall profit you guys are making! Anyway, the three items that CTA wants: "Extend the canopy roof over the el tracks to provide additional protection from the elements for CTA passengers and equipment." I'm wondering if they're all drunk at CTA. I mean, when I had that premature ribbon cutting a while back, I noticed that there is already a wide canopy over the tracks. Somebody's getting a kickback from this, and believe me, I know about kickbacks! "Provide more extensive enclosures for the north stairways and escalators to better protect the stairs and passengers from the elements." What the hell? Why should the folks at the Howard Station have more protection than folks at the Jarvis and Morse stations? I know that Howard is closer to the Arctic Circle, but is this expenditure really justified? "Make additional repairs to the Howard Street and Rogers Avenue viaducts to address further deterioration that was discovered after initial repair work had begun." Why wasn't this discovered before the work began? Good God, CTA, get your shit together! And by the way, have you clowns at CTA noticed that chunks of concrete are falling on cars under the viaduct at your Loyola Station? CTA President Ron Huberman will present the CTA's request and explain the scope of the proposed work. A representative from the City of Chicago Department of Planning also will be present to address any TIF-related questions. Think we'll get straight answers out of these stewards of a Third World-style transit system? Ha! This is not just a pipe dream, I say. This is a meeting about a real thing that will happen. The expected completion date for the building's design is July 2003, with construction beginning that fall and finishing in fall 2006, according to Alaaeldien Waziry, who is a consultant working for the CTA on the $2 billion 5-year project to improve stations around the Chicago area. I urge you to attend this important meeting and offer your input. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to attend my next Howard CTA Station ribbon cutting ceremony, please reply to this e-mail or call my office at 773-338-5796. Sincerely, Alderman Joe Moore Visit the website of the 49th Ward P.S. - You might also find the following articles to be of interest. Alderman's call for CTA hearing 10 years too late Chicago News ... Howard El stop renovation may start by 2005 - CITY Man stabbed outside CTA Red Line station on North Side - Topix Chicago Reader The Works Pedaling While Rome Burns... CTA to North Siders: Drop Dead (from Crowding) or Drive