CHICAGO () — A crowded public meeting in Pilsen turned contentious as residents challenged Amtrak’s proposed Midwest maintenance facility in Bridgeport, warning that the project could harm nearby neighborhoods and questioning how it advanced this far.
Organizers moved the meeting to a larger Pilsen venue to handle the anticipated turnout. Residents packed the room, many making clear their opposition to the proposal.
“You’re treating us like we’re complete idiots! We’re not idiots!” one woman shouted during the question-and-answer session.
Amtrak held the meeting to discuss the facility, which is planned for Union Pacific-owned land near Rate Field. The site is generally bounded by 33rd and Canal streets and extends south to 35th Street.
Amtrak officials said the maintenance center would strengthen rail operations and help improve service reliability.
“Better maintenance means fewer of those delays, and that’s what this facility is intended to help,” said Steven Segerlin, Amtrak’s head of commercial development.
Segerlin also argued that the location was well suited to the project because of its layout. “This property is also the right shape. The yard is long and straight, and a full train can pull without being split,” he said.
His remarks prompted groans from some people in the audience.
Residents and other community members said they were particularly concerned about the facility’s closeness to surrounding homes.
“A lot of people are defending their homes here, their castles,” one man said during the public comment period.
Bridgeport resident Alicia Ferro said the project could affect nearby residents at all hours of the day and night.
The proposed facility would sit near a park and thousands of residential properties.
Crystal Zorbaugh of the Mullins Law Group said reviews of the proposal found no significant environmental impacts.
“We examined for significant impacts, and there were none. Significant impacts would have required a more extensive review,” Zorbaugh said as members of the audience heckled her.
The Bridgeport facility would enable Amtrak to leave its current South Loop rail yard, freeing that land for The 78 development. The project area is next to the proposed site of a new White Sox ballpark backed by team minority owner Justin Ishbia.
The broader development plans led some residents to question the project’s underlying purpose.
“All this is is a nasty real estate deal done in the middle of the night!” one speaker yelled during public comment.
Amtrak is pursuing the proposal under federal authority that it says can override local zoning and building requirements.
Ald. Nicole Lee, whose 11th Ward includes the proposed site, said the dispute could end up in court.
“We’re going to have to fight this in court. I think we’re going to continue to request the federal government to provide information. We have not gotten responses back on our FOIAs yet for their applications,” Lee said.
According to Amtrak, the Bridgeport location was selected for the project about three years ago. The agency says it notified Ald. Lee last fall and Cook County Commissioner John Daley in February about those plans.
