Two new elevators slated for historic CTA Quincy station

The CTA’s Quincy station — one of its oldest stations — is due for an $18.2 million renovation that will preserve its historic features but add the modern convenience of two elevators, officials said Wednesday.

The Loop’s Quincy station was last renovated in 1988. Its charms include classic wooden platforms, wooden interior stairs and a wooden ticket agent booth, as well as, original pressed metal wreaths and fluted pilasters on the station house facade.

The station dates to 1897 when William McKinley was president and wooden L cars were pulled by small, coal-burning steam locomotives. Considered one of the Chicago Transit Authority’s most historic and best-preserved stations, it has been featured in such movies as “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and “Eagle Eye.”

Under the renovation plan, new towers on each side of Wells Street will house elevators connecting to the Quincy station house and platforms for both Inner Loop service on the Orange, Purple and Pink lines as well as Outer Loop service on the Brown Line.

Two existing staircases will be restored and a third staircase will be added to the southwest corner of the station, said CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase. Exterior painting and lighting improvements are planned.

CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. said the work will “retain the station’s historic appearance” while adding elevators as part of the CTA’s goal of making 100 percent of its stations accessible to riders with disabilities.

CTA board members Wednesday approved an $11.69 million contract with Ragnar Benson Construction to do the bulk of the work.

Renovations will begin later this year and are due for completion by the end of 2017, Chase said. The station will remain open during construction.

Also Wednesday, board members approved adding a new layer of optional training to the CTA’s Second Chance Program, which pays ex-offenders $10 an hour to clean CTA buses and railcars while providing them with job training.

Beginning later this month, as many as 110 participants a year can attend optional four-week training in mechanical skills at Daley College.

Board members also authorized a new CTA property insurance contract with a consortium led by Lloyds of London that will add $477,000 a year, or 19 percent, to the CTA’s current $2.9 million in premiums.

CTA deputy general counsel Steve Wood tied the increase mostly to a $330 million boost in the value of the CTA’s assets after the purchase of new buses, the arrival of 5000 Series railcars, and the rebuilding of three electrical substations.