UPTOWN — The Chicago Transit Authority plans to meet with residents in Uptown Tuesday to gather ideas about what sort of artwork should be installed at the soon-to-be renovated Wilson Red Line station.
The agency, looking to commission artwork for the station, put out a call for artists in June. Interested artists have until July 18 to apply for the opportunity, and selections are due in December.
CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said in a statement that input from the community about what "should factor into artwork renderings ... such as elements and characteristics that best reflect," the neighborhood will be compiled and given to the artist or artist team selected so they can use it to create a piece of art that will be displayed in the renovated station.
The station, located at Wilson Avenue and North Broadway, is slated for a $203 million renovation scheduled to start this year and end in 2016. It would be the only Red/Purple Line transfer point between the Belmont and Howard stops, and the only wheelchair-accessible station between the Addison and Granville stations.
Officials held a meeting last week to discuss the effects of the project on properties in the Uptown Square Historic District and other historic buildings.
Business owners and members of the community complained about CTA's plans to relocate support beams from the street to the sidewalk, arguing that the beams were ugly and would have a detrimental affect on businesses nearby. The CTA said the decision reflected safety concerns for motorists and was necessary for streetscaping efforts, which include plans for bicycle lanes.
The artwork meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 N. Marine Dr. Both artists and members of the community are invited.
