Modern train station with green skywalk, cyclists, and pedestrians under a clear blue sky.
Modern train station with green skywalk, cyclists, and pedestrians under a clear blue sky.

Damen Green Line Station

Chicago, Illinois
Access for All

The opening of the Damen Green Line public transit station brings accessible train access back to a Chicago neighborhood last served in 1948, and will spur community-supportive reinvestment and redevelopment on the West Side. The station serves the Kinzie Industrial Corridor, the United Center, Malcolm X College, and surrounding residential areas on the growing Near West Side, and is adjacent to a newly-announced $7 billion mixed-used redevelopment project around the United Center.

“This long-awaited CTA station is a transformative achievement for Chicago’s Near West Side,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at the official opening. “This visually stunning new station will enhance affordable and convenient transportation options for residents and help attract future investments that will make Chicago’s West Side a vibrant hub of residential, retail, entertainment, and public spaces.”

The station is aligned with Chicago’s Connected Communities Ordinance to advance equitable transit-oriented development—and comes amidst growing evidence nationally of the economic, social, and cultural vitality that modern infrastructure brings to communities. The multi-modal station puts passenger ease at the core of its design, allowing users to seamlessly connect with buses, or to use bikes or walk to nearby destinations. A grand stair and escalator, visible through the transparent glass facade, guide passengers to the platform level. A glass bridge connects the inbound and outbound train platforms, offering spectacular views of the Chicago skyline and orienting visitors to neighborhood destinations and attractions.

What Makes It Cool
The new station returns rail service to this neighborhood for the first time since 1948.
This new state-of-the art, multi-modal station features a modern, light-filled design. The station’s location will allow users to seamlessly connect with CTA buses or to use bike share or walk to nearby destinations.

CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld

The new station features a large mural by the noted artist Folayemi Wilson that highlights the rich history of various ethnic groups on the Near West Side.
The mural depicts a scene on the prairie with images of young people taken from local photographic archives peering towards the horizon and imagining their future.
Kids running in a modern glass corridor with Chicago skyline in the background, featuring bright green beams.
In a nod to Chicago’s architectural history, the green trusses along the station’s bridge reflect the name of the CTA line and are a dynamic reference to the famous steel bridges throughout the city.
Man ascending stairs in a green metal-framed pedestrian bridge with clear panels and urban views.
Design inclusivity was paramount. The station works for people of all abilities, relying on intuitive wayfinding, natural light, and clear sightlines: every element is visible and identifiable.
Large expanses of glass provide access to natural light and views of downtown from the bridge. The station includes a public plaza for events, a farmers’ market, performances, and more.

Project Team

Carl D’Silva headshot of Carl D'Silva
People
Carl D’Silva
Yvette Fevurly
People
Yvette Fevurly
Ralph Johnson
People
Ralph Johnson
Bryan Schabel
People
Bryan Schabel
Mark Walsh
People
Mark Walsh
Justin Wortmann
People
Justin Wortmann