The Neo-Classical features of the 1900-built brick and terra cotta are juxtaposed with the simple wood-frame, plywood-clad temporary entrance at Diversey station, seen looking northwest on March 30, 2008. For an enlarged view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
 

Diversey (2800N/1000W)
Diversey Parkway and Sheffield Avenue, Lincoln Park

Service Notes:

Brown Line: Ravenswood

Purple Line: Evanston Express

Accessible Station

Quick Facts:

Address:

943 W. Diversey Parkway (main entrance)

940-44 W. Diversey Parkway (auxiliary exit) [CLOSED FOR RENOVATION]
Established: June 1, 1900
Original Line: Northwestern Elevated Railroad
Previous Names: n/a

Skip-Stop Type:

Station (1949-1983)

Station (1983-1995)
Rebuilt: 2007-08
Status: In Use

History:

The Neo-Classical features of the brick and terra cotta Diversey station are evident in this May 13, 2002 view looking northeast at the historic building. The top arched portion of the front windows were blocked off to make replacement of the window glass easier. For an enlarged view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
The path of the initial stretch of the Northwestern Elevated Railroad, from Lake and Wells streets downtown to Broadway and Wilson on the what was then the far North Side, was cleared in 1895 and erection of the steel was begun January 23, 1896. Several financial difficulties delayed construction several times, a few times necessitating extensions of the company's franchise. All-night shifts were eventually required to complete the structure on Christmas Day 1899, days before their deadline to begin service. But Diversey and most of the other stations were incomplete December 31 and, after some finagling, another extension was obtained. Diversey was completed in early 1900.

Diversey station opened in June 1900 as part of the original stretch of the Northwestern Elevated. The headhouse was one of several stations built from a design by William Gibb on what is now the Brown Line. Constructed entirely of brick with terra-cotta trim, the Classical Revival design was inspired by the work of the great 16th century Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio1. The bold modeling of the details, especially the columns and segmented arched windows, is characteristic of Italianate work of the late 19th century.

The interior featured plaster walls with extensive wood detailing in the door and window frames, ceiling moldings, and tongue-in groove chair rail paneling. Nearly all of this detail remains, although nearly all of it was painted over by the 1990s. Also still in place at Diversey is the ornate, intricately-detailed ticket agent's booth designed for the station. With its paneled walls, dentils ands moldings around the top, and ornate metal grill over the window formally used by the ticket agent, this is the last original 1900-vintage Northwestern Elevated booth left on the system (the original booth was at Sedgwick until its renovation in 2006; another was at Chicago until 1999).

The customer assistant booth at Diversey, seen here on May 13, 2002, is one of the few original Northwestern Elevated ticket agent booths left. For an enlarged view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
The dual side platforms at Diversey were covered in the center by two peaked-roof canopies of steel supports with a gently-curved bracket and intricate latticework, covered by a corrugated metal roofing. Originally, these covered about half the platform length, but the platforms were subsequently lengthened multiple times to allow longer trains to berth. Many sections of the original platform area retained their original railing, which consisted of tubular railings and posts with panels of decorative, vaguely diamond shaped metalwork inside, until the station's renovation in 2007-08. The platform extensions had plain wooden railings. The platform at the extreme north end of the outbound platform was noteworthy for its extremely narrow width, such that the overhead lights had to be turned sideways to give clearance for the trains, and the slight curve in the tracks here that make line-of-sight difficult.

Under the initial Northwestern Elevated configuration, Diversey, whose platforms are on the outer tracks, was a local station, inaccessible by the expresses utilizing the inner tracks. After the State Street Subway opened in 1943 and the route configurations were overhauled in 1949, Diversey became a station on the Ravenswood Line and served only "B" trains under the A/B skip-stop express scheme. Beginning in 1983, Diversey began serving all trains on the route.

 

Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project

By 2004, ridership had exploded on the Brown Line -- an 79% increase since 1979 and a 27% increase since 1998 -- such that during peak periods many trains were at crush-loaded, resulting in commuters left standing on platforms unable to board the loaded trains, sometimes waiting as one or two trains passed before they were physically able to board. The problem in large part was that all Brown Line stations could only accommodate six-car trains (with the exception of Merchandise Mart, Chicago, Fullerton and Belmont, which could already hold eight-car trains), which, along with the limitations of the cab signal system, limited the line's capacity.

As a result, the CTA® decided to plan for the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project, the largest capital improvement project undertaken by the CTA® at the time (surpassing even the Douglas Renovation Project, which was the largest up to that point). The main objectives of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project are to expand the line's overall ridership capacity by lengthening station platforms to accommodate eight rather than six-car trains, rehabilitate rail infrastructure and stations, provide for station enhancements to meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and upgrade or replace traction power, signal and communication equipment. By far, the largest part of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project was the station renovations. Of the Brown Line's 19 stations, only one (Merchandise Mart) was not touched at all due to its modern construction (1988) and ability to berth eight-car trains.

CTA maintenance workers perform some preliminary work at Diversey, including cable relocation and some steel rehabilitation work, in advance of the contractor beginning work in this view looking east on December 20, 2005. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
On April 13, 2004, the CTA® announced that it had officially received a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). However, in May 2004, CTA® received construction bids for the project that substantially exceeded the budget. As such, the Chicago Transit Board voted on June 9, 2004 to reorganize the project into several discrete pieces to help attract more competitive construction bids. Station renovation work was modified and grouped into five separate packages according to location to help reduce the overall cost of station construction. Diversey station was grouped with Wellington, Southport and Paulina -- all of which were designed by the same consultant, Teng -- in a bid package. Station designs were also revised to reduce costs. Most changes concentrated on non-customer areas such as reducing the size of janitor closets, employee restrooms, electrical rooms and communication rooms. Other areas that were studied for cost reduction were standardizing common station elements, the use of less expensive materials, canopy designs and coverage, and temporary station closures to provide contractors better access to the sites.

During Autumn 2005, demolition of buildings that will be in the way of the new stations and structures was initiated at Belmont, Diversey and Fullerton. At Diversey in late October 2005, strip mall-type commercial buildings, which abutted the elevated structure on the south side of the street, had roughly 25 feet of buildings nearest the "L" demolished, and new exterior walls built on the newly downsized structures, to allow room for the new station house.

The Paulina/Southport/Wellington/Diversey contract was the fifth and last of the reorganized station packages to be bid out. At the December 12, 2006 board meeting, a $66.9 million contract for the renovation of these stations was awarded to FHP Tectonics Corporation.

 

Station Design

The contract includes construction of a new, modern station house, extension of platforms to accommodate 8-car trains, and installation of elevators for ADA accessibility. The new expanded station facility features more turnstiles and farecard vending machines. New, wider stairs and elevators take customers to the boarding platforms.

Artist's rendering of the design for the renovated Diversey station. A new masonry station house with glass panels, decorative masonry, and prominent elevator towers will replace the 1900-built entrance, although the historic station house will be retained and restored. Brown Line-standard railings and lights are visible at platform level above. For a larger view, click here. (Image provided courtesy of the Chicago Transit Authority)
The new station house is located on the south side of Diversey Parkway, on the opposite side as the old station house. The station house is clad in brown brick with a precast concrete base and pre-finished aluminum metal coping along the top. The front of the station house is divided into bays, with the end bays (which form the bottom of the elevator towers) and center bay decorated with darker brick between the lighter toned pilasters. A glass and aluminum storefronts occupy the three bays on either side of the center with two doorways framing the center bay. The bays are topped with a band of precast lintels. Dual brick-clad elevator towers, decorated with dark brick in the center and topped with a precast cornice and pre-finished aluminum coping, dominate the facility's massing.

The interior has a largely open plan. A Customer Assistant booth is located in the center, with rows of turnstiles on both sides at a 45-degree angle separating the unpaid and paid areas. The new stainless steel CA booth, standard for the new Brown Line stations, features stainless steel lower panels and roof and glass panels around the sides for a high level of visibility. The farecard vending machines are located on the north wall between the front doors. The turnstiles are angled to be aligned with angled corridors at each side of the paid area that lead to a set of stairs from the paid area to each platform. The elevators to each platform are located outboard of the stairs. The station interior walls are clad in glazed tile in a stacked bond pattern. The stairways to the platforms are closed in a wire mesh grille system. A bicycle parking area is located on the west side of the unpaid area, while a concession is located in the east side.

The dual platforms were renovated with new decking, railings, lighting, signage, and other fixtures. The existing original, historic canopies were retained and refurbished, stripped of decades of paint, repainted dark brown, and topped with new corrugated metal hipped roofs. The new railings are a hybrid of the standard design for the rebuilt Brown Line elevated stations and reproductions of the original 1900-vintage railings. The railings have thick tubular top and bottom horizontal members like the other renovated Brown Line stations. However, the grilles are reproductions of the original Northwestern Elevated diamond grilles. The new railings and light poles, as well as the other new metalwork, are hot-dipped galvanized. Sections of the railings under the historic canopies reuse original, historic railings, with the original plumbing pipe tuning and refurbished original diamond grilles. These sections are painted brown. The platform is lined with gooseneck lights. The platforms are finished with windbreaks integrated into the railing system, with the glass panels protected by metal grilles, benches with sandboxes integrated into them, A/V signs suspended over the platforms on long horizontal arms, and Transit Information panels.

Auxiliary exits are provided to the north side of Diversey Parkway, across from the main entrance, to allow for more egress capacity and better connections to westbound #76 Diversey buses. The auxiliary exits use original stairways under the historic canopies and lead to exit rotogates to the east of the historic station house.

CTA partnered with the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs to install public art at the 18 stations included in the Brown Line project. The Diversey station will feature a large-scale outdoor sculpture entitled Arriving Home, created by international sculptor Dennis Oppenheim that will be installed in late 2008 adjacent to the north auxiliary exit. The 10-foot high sculpture, made of steel and polycarbonate and acrylic materials, is in the shape of a torqued spiral which represents travel and the experience by an individual as they approach their destination.

Other improvements included new signage; electrical, communications, and HVAC equipment; new customer heaters on the platforms; and a new public announcement system.

The 1900-built historic station house has been preserved and restored.

 

Station Renovation Work

Construction at the Diversey and Wellington stations is expected to last approximately 16 months, with the stations subject to temporary closure during construction. However, no two adjacent stations will be scheduled to close at the same time on weekdays so customers may go to the next closest station for service. During periods of temporary closure, customers are encouraged to use the most convenient existing CTA® bus and rail service in the area.

During spring 2007, contractor FHP Tectonics and their subcontractors began preparatory work at Diversey. Activities included elevated structure steel and foundation renewal, lead abatement on the existing structure, and utility relocation.

The platform decking and canopies have been stripped, the original platform stringers have been refurbished, and new joists have been installed at Diversey as flagmen protect the contractors from passing trains as they work on November 26, 2007. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)
On Monday, June 25, 2007, Diversey station temporarily closed for renovation. Diversey station will be closed for up to 12 months while construction crews rebuild the station and make the station accessible to customers with disabilities. The adjacent stations -- Wellington and Fullerton -- will remain open during the temporary closure of the Diversey station so customers may continue to use them to access Brown Line service. Diversey station is also located in an area where CTA® service is plentiful. In addition to nearby rail stations, there are six existing CTA® bus routes that provide service near Diversey station on weekdays and weekends: the #8 Halsted, #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick, #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, #74 Fullerton and the #76 Diversey.

Shortly after the station closed, work began on dismantling the old station platforms. In July, the roofs were stripped off the canopies and refurbishment began. The canopies were enclosed in wood barriers and canvas enclosures to contain dust and particles as contractors stripped the old paint off and performed lead abatement. The enclosures also allowed the contractors to work without flagmen protection without interfering with passing trains. After the canopies were stripped, the metal structures were primed.

The elevated structure column bent foundation replacement work that began in spring 2007 continued through summer and into autumn.

Following the refurbishment of the original platform stringer steel, new steel joists were installed on the original stringers beginning in September and continuing through autumn. Later in autumn, work began to install the steel stringers and supports for the platform extensions to the south of the original steel. Steel for the platform stringers and joists was completed in January 2008. The steel frames for the elevator towers were installed in December 2007.

Work on the new station house structure began at the end of 2007. The foundation for the new station house on the south side of Diversey Parkway was installed in December 2007 and January 2008. Erection of the steel frame for the station house began in early January and into April 2008. By late January, work began on the new building's roof, which was completed about a month later. Installation of the station house Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) and cinder blocks began in late February and continued into early May. Installation of the drip pan roofing over the sidewalk in front of the station house began in early March.

In addition to work on the station house, construction of the new platforms began in early 2008. Installation of wood platform decking also began in January and continued into March 2008. Installation and detailing of the new, permanent platform railings and light posts began in early March but continued for several months. The first sections were installed over the street during a weekend street closure on March 8-9. New corrugated roofing was installed on the historic canopy structures during late February and early March.

In order to allow the second phase of Three-Track operation at Belmont and Fullerton to begin -- reopening the second rebuilt northbound track at each station and closing the first southbound track -- it was decided to begin 8-car service on the Brown Line. To do this, the last of the 6-car platform stations, Paulina and Wellington, had to close. Southport was already scheduled to reopen and Paulina to close on March 30, 2008, but Wellington was not scheduled to close until late spring or early summer when Diversey was scheduled to be completed. Instead, it was decided to reopen Diversey early so that Wellington could close and 8-car service could begin. To allow Diversey's early reopening, a temporary wooden station house was constructed at street level immediately east of the historic station house, across the street from the new entrance under construction. The temporary station house was a simple wood frame structure with plywood walls and a flat, slanted roof. Inside, a Customer Assistant booth was built-in in the northwest corner of the interior as a room with windows and a door to interact with customers. The foundation for the temporary station house was laid the week of March 9, with the wooden building assembled the week of March 16. Meanwhile, the south halves of the original stairs were restored to usable condition during mid-March (the north halves having been removed, per the ultimate plan for the auxiliary exits). The platforms were sufficiently completed for the station to reopen, with temporary railings and lights along the platforms and sufficient signage for customer use. The station reopened, with access through the temporary entrance, on March 30, 2008.

Following the reopening of Diversey station, work continued on the rest of the permanent facility. The pre-assembled permanent stairs from the new station house to each platform were lifted into place in April 2008, with the southbound installed on April 7 and the northbound installed on April 21. The two stairs were detailed, with the roofing, mesh grilles on the sides, and other fittings installed, from late April through May. Steel windbreaks were installed on the platforms during May, as were light fixtures and speakers, starting with the northbound platform.

Construction of the new station house, inside and out, continued during this period as well. Face brick was installed on the exterior of the station house and elevator towers during May 2008. The elevator cabs and equipment was installed from May through late July.

Restoration of the historic station house, including the exterior brick and masonry, began in April 2008 and continued into the summer. The roof was removed and a new one installed during July.

Contractor crews spent June and July finishing the details of the new facility. During this period the sidewalk in front of the station was demolished and fittings like the Customer Assistant booth, fare control barriers, bike racks, and signage were installed inside the station house. During early and mid-July, brick flower islands were installed, a new sidewalk was poured, and a compass rose installed in front of the new station house. A few days before the new entrance opened, the stainless steel Transit Information Panels were installed on both platforms.

The main station entrance at Diversey opened at 5am, Monday, August 4, 2008. Upon the new main entrance opening, the elevators came into use and Diversey became the 84th of the CTA's 144 station to become accessible, with other ADA-compliant features including an accessible turnstile, tactile platform edging, gap fillers, TTY telephones and Braille signs. At the same time, the temporary entrance located on the north side of Diversey Parkway was closed and subsequently dismantled in the weeks after. The stairways down to the north side of Diversey were closed at the same time to allow for the installation of rotogates and conversion of the stairs into auxiliary exits.

On August 7, 2008, CTA President Ron Huberman was joined by elected officials, including State Representative John Fritchey and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, to commemorate the opening of the newly renovated Diversey Brown Line station house.

The project's Full Funding Grant Agreement with the federal government requires that the CTA complete the project by the end of 2009.

 

The platforms at Diversey station, seen here looking north on March 30, 2008, are part way through their renovation with some features largely completed, while others are replaced by temporary fixtures. The pair of original peaked-roof canopies have been refurbished, including new roofing and lights. The platform lights and railings are largely temporary. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

 

Old Diversey (1900-2007) | New Diversey (2005-present)

Old Diversey station

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The platforms at Diversey station, seen here looking north on May 13, 2002, had many of their historic elements still in place at that time. These included the pair of peaked-roof canopies, as well as a fair amount of original railing structure. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The platform at the extreme north end of the outbound platform, seen here looking south on May 13, 2002, is noteworthy for its narrow width (note that the overhead lights to be turned sideways to give clearance for the trains) and the slight curve in the tracks here that make line-of-sight difficult. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The Diversey station platforms are bathed in the orange glow of their sodium vapor lights on their last night of service before being closed for renovation, looking south on the inbound platform on June 24, 2007. The curve in the platform, which represented a problem for one-person train operation, would be eliminated in the new station. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

New Diversey station

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For over 100 years, the land across from the Diversey station house underneath the elevated structure has simply been empty land, seen looking south from the station house doorway in this October 28, 2005 view. Soon after, a new, modern station house would be built there to compliment the original, historic station house. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The new Diversey station facility would require more room than was available underneath the elevated structure. However, there were commercial strip mall-type buildings on either side of the tracks. But rather than buy and condemn the entire buildings, the CTA® bought only a portion and only the bays closest to the CTA® right-of-way were moved. In this October 28, 2005 morning view, crews are literally cutting the building in two. By the next day, the section closest to the structure was gone, with a new side wall enclosing the building. The same thing was repeated on the building on the other side of the elevated structure. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The Diversey station has been closed just a few hours in this June 25, 2007 view looking east. Signs on the station inform customers of the closure and provide alternate travel information. To provide additional assistance, a Customer Assistant has been assigned to the station for the first few days to provide information and answer questions. The construction fencing prevents entry into the station and protects passersby from the work that would soon begin. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The closed Diversey station house peaks out from behind the green canvas-covered construction fencing that barricades the recently closed facility in this June 25, 2007 view looking north. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The Diversey station has been closed one day in this view of the platforms looking north on June 26, 2007. Sandwich boards on the platforms remind rail operators: "STATION CLOSED". Soon, the platforms and canopies would be dismantled. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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Work has begun to dismantle the platforms and canopies in this July 22, 2007 view of Diversey station looking north. The wood and canvas structure around the northbound canopy on the right protects workers performing lead abatement and paint removal work. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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By the time of this August 12, 2007 view looking north, the platform deck and old wooden joists have been removed and the canopies have been stripped on both platforms at Diversey. Once the platforms are stripped down to their basic steel structure, the old steel stringers are refurbished and new buildout will be installed. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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Work continues on the north side of Diversey Parkway, the future location of the new station house, in this September 23, 2007 view looking south. Most work centers around utility work, refurbishment of the steel elevated structure, and replacement of column foundations. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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Work to rehabilitate the steel elevated structure columns and column foundations is evident in this September 23, 2007 view looking southeast. This site is the future location of the new station house and the steelwork must be refurbished in advance of the station house construction because the columns will be within the building once is it erected. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The old will soon meet the new in this view of Diversey station under construction looking west on December 23, 2007. The steel frames for the dual elevator towers have been erected and the new steel stringers for the platform extensions are visible on the left. The refurbished steel of the original 1900-built platforms and canopies are visible on the right. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

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The Diversey station is under construction in this December 23, 2007 view looking southwest at the future location of the new station house. The elevator tower structures are in place and the steel for the platforms is in place except for immediately around the elevator towers. This section would soon be filled in, bridging the old platform steel stringers to the new ones. Soon, erection of the steel frame for the new station house would begin. (Photo by Graham Garfield)

 

 

Notes:

1. Bach and Wolfson, A Guide to Chicago's Train Stations, 222.