Amtrak plans to use federal exemptions in building maintenance facility next to Rate Field

At a press conference outside Rate Field, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley discussed his recent meeting with Amtrak about its planned maintenance facility in Bridgeport. Quigley agrees with Amtrak that they need a new maintenance facility, but urges that the residential neighborhood is not the right location. 

“I told Amtrak they need this, but do not use your preemptive powers,” Quigley said. While Quigley's 5th District covers the North Side, he sits on the House Committee on Appropriations and a transportation subcommittee. He's also running for mayor of Chicago.

In a letter to Chicago’s Real Estate and Land Use Division dated Thursday, Amtrak outlined how and why it will be using its federal statutory exemptions to push forward with its maintenance facility. It's another step forward in clearing the way for Justin Ishbia’s grand plan to build a new home for the Chicago White Sox. 

AMTRAK SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH CITY OF CHICAGO

Amtrak, Canal Edge, and the City of Chicago recently met to discuss the Canal Street Yard project. This letter, obtained by Sox Machine, outlines Amtrak’s position that it’s not subject to state or local zoning, nor needing development approval from Chicago. This would include building permits, site plans, and design review. 

That said, Amtrak has expressed a desire to be a “good partner” with the city and to include it in the feedback process. This includes regular meetings with Amtrak and city departments regarding design and construction, seeking additional input regarding emergency access, fire protection, utilities such as sewer and water, and potential impacts to public streets during construction. 

In the letter, Amtrak states, “Consistent with the federal environmental determination and applicable federal requirements, Amtrak anticipates obtaining any governmental authorization expressly identified in the federal environmental process.” These would be distinct from what the city and the state may have. The lack of an environmental study shared with 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has been a major sticking point and a key reason residents have been rallying against the Amtrak project. 

Although it only need federal approval for their plans, Amtrak states in the letter that it plans to share final designs with the public to provide information. Again, Amtrak outlines its position that it does not need approval from the city to proceed with the maintenance facility.

LINGERING QUESTIONS ABOUT USE OF PUBLIC STREETS, RATE FIELD PARKING LOTS

The Canal Street Yard Project has an 18-month timeline and aims to start in early 2027, overlapping MLB’s 2027 and 2028 seasons. With part of the rail yard splitting Rate Field’s Lots C and G, could this impact Chicago White Sox fans' ability to drive and park when going to games?

Early designs for this maintenance facility show the layout stretching from 33rd Street to 37th Street. Currently, the White Sox block and reroute traffic 90 minutes before first pitch down 35th Street. Some traffic is allowed on 37th Street as fans either drive west from Wentworth Avenue or east from Halsted, where the 11th Ward office is located.

33rd Street can be quite congested before and after games. A sore spot for White Sox fans in recent years is the headache of leaving a well-attended game. There’s not much room to begin with, and having a crowd of 35,000 can make a short drive to the highway an aggravating affair. 

If Amtrak and Canal Edge need to close off Shields Avenue and 33rd Street while using Lots C and G for construction staging, then driving to Rate Field will become a bigger problem than it is presently. It would be a good exercise for White Sox fans to use more public transportation, as the recent South Loop stadium renderings don’t offer much in terms of car parking, even though that part of Chicago has plenty of parking garages surrounding both the Amtrak and Project 78 lots. 

Illinois Sports Facility Authority (ISFA) has its next public meeting at Rate Field on Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT. On Thursday, Amtrak plans to host another community meeting with Chinatown and Bridgeport residents at Pui Tak Center starting at 6:30 p.m.