The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is moving forward with its long-promised plan to redevelop land used during construction of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One project, announcing the release of three Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for redevelopment sites in the Lakeview community.
The announcement comes as CTA nears completion of Phase One of the historic RPM project, which included major infrastructure upgrades along the Red and Purple Lines. The agency said the redevelopment effort reflects its commitment to reinvesting in neighborhoods impacted by construction while encouraging transit-oriented growth.
The three parcels of land were acquired and used during construction of the RPM project, which included building a new rail bypass north of the Belmont station and replacing a 107-year-old rail junction where the Red, Purple and Brown lines intersect. That junction had long been a bottleneck for rail traffic. The project also rebuilt elevated track structures between the Belmont and Addison stations.
Now that major construction work in the area is substantially complete, the CTA is offering the sites for redevelopment in alignment with a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan adopted in 2018 following extensive community engagement.
“After successfully delivering modern stations and improved service for CTA riders, we are honoring our promise to the Lakeview community to redevelop land used during construction,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “We are excited to work with the community and serve as a catalyst for development that will enhance the vibrant Lakeview neighborhood.”
The TOD Plan was developed through meetings with residents and local stakeholders and outlines guiding principles for future development. Those principles include promoting cultural, generational, economic and family diversity; encouraging commercial, retail and civic uses; capitalizing on proximity to transit; maintaining appropriate scale and quality of development; supporting environmental sustainability and economic viability; improving the public realm; and providing affordable housing options.
The CTA issued three separate RFPs covering the following parcels:
• The southeast corner of West Newport Avenue and North Clark Street, officially portions of 3401–3427 North Clark Street and 947–949 West Newport Avenue. This parcel includes the historic Vautravers Building, which was relocated 30 feet west to allow for the reconstruction and straightening of the century-old Red and Purple Line tracks.
• The southwest corner of West Roscoe Street and North Clark Street, officially portions of 3366–3368 North Clark Street and 947–955 West Roscoe Street.
• A frontage site along North Clark Street, officially portions of 3330–3348 North Clark Street.
Proposals for all three sites are due by February 25, 2026.
CTA officials said redevelopment of the parcels is intended to complement the surrounding neighborhood while supporting long-term economic vitality. The agency also noted that it previously released a separate Transit-Oriented Development Plan in 2018 for properties along the RPM corridor between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr avenues in the Uptown and Edgewater communities. Requests for proposals for those sites are expected in 2026.
RPM Phase One represents a major investment in Chicago’s transit infrastructure. The project included reconstruction of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations into fully accessible facilities, along with replacement of approximately six track-miles of elevated structure. The project also included construction of a Red-Purple Bypass north of Belmont and the installation of a new signal system across 23 track miles between Howard and Belmont to improve reliability and train flow.
The CTA’s Red Line remains the agency’s busiest route, providing nearly 40 million rides in 2024. Phase One of the RPM program is part of a broader, multi-phase effort to modernize the 9.6-mile stretch of Red and Purple Line infrastructure on the North Side, much of which dated back more than a century.
CTA officials say the upgrades are designed to improve service reliability, increase system capacity, and enhance the overall rider experience while supporting neighborhood growth tied to public transit investment.
More information about the RPM program is available at transitchicago.com/RPM.