Google Partners with Chicago Transit Authority to Revamp Clark/Lake Station Entrance by 2025

The landscape of public transportation in Chicago is witnessing a transformative change, as Google takes the reins in the redevelopment of the Thompson Center which will encompass a strategic relocation and makeover of the Clark/Lake station entrance. In a sweeping collaboration with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the tech giant has committed to funding the construction of a redesigned entrance for the bustling hub on the northeast corner of the building on Clark Street, according to statements made in recent board meetings which were reported by the

Chicago Sun-Times

.

Bill Mooney, CTA’s chief infrastructure officer,

highlighted the need for change

, asserting that the current entrance is not easily visible to the public as it “kind of buried underneath our structure in the middle of Lake Street” and “oftentimes, from a way finding standpoint, hard to see,” while the new entrance will be positioned at a “very predominant point on the corner,” he said during the CTA’s board meeting and that the current arrangement makes the station easy to miss amidst the urban clutter, however, once the entrance is moved to Clark Street, its prominence will be significantly enhanced.

The cost of the entrance revamp, poised for completion by November 2025, will be shouldered by JRTC Holdings – a Google subsidiary managing the property – with additional platform improvements set to follow through CTA’s own funnel of investments amounting to $10 million, targeted for late 2026 completion as noted by

CTA’s announcement

. CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. expressed excitement about the partnership, envisioning that it lays the “baseline of what the improvements are going to be” and hoping for further technological enhancements in the area.

With the Clark/Lake station serving as a central vein in Chicago’s transit system, catering to over 9,100-weekday riders, Google’s redevelopment of the Thompson Center not only reaffirms its presence in the city’s architectural landscape but also underscores a commitment to maintaining public accessibility, the atrium, for instance, will remain open to the public as it was historically, denoting a confluence of commercial renovation and civic mindfulness, with the company vowing a massive $280 million investment for the building’s overhaul which includes modern architectural touches, such as linking the main concourse and lower level with open stairs, bleacher seating, and overlooks, and as articulated by Quintin E. Primo III, co-principal at Prime|Capri and Capri Investment Group Founder, the project, much like the station, represents a vital piece of Chicago’s vibrancy and functionality as reported by

CTA

.

To further institute equitable business opportunities, JRTC asserts commitment to hiring 26% Minority Business Enterprise and 6% Women Business Enterprise subcontractors, dovetailing with CTA’s goals for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation that will be established during the procurement process of the work, and while the phased construction is underway, assurances have been given to mitigate the impact on CTA riders and services, additional details concerning schedules and accessible pathways are expected to be announced soon.

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