Damen Blue Line station reopens; local businesses offer freebies

The Damen Blue Line station reopened early Monday after undergoing more than two months of renovations.

The Wicker Park neighborhood station reopened at 4 a.m., right on schedule, according to the CTA.

To celebrate the re-opening, Flash Taco at 1570 N. Damen will give away free tamales from 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Dec. 22-24. Glazed and Infused at 1576 N. Milwaukee will offer a free donut and large coffee to anyone who presents their Ventra card Dec. 22-24.

The station closed Oct. 20 as part of the “Your New Blue” program, a 4-year, $492-million project upgrading the O’Hare branch of the Blue Line.

The renovations include new bike racks, granite flooring in the station, and new lighting, benches and signage on the platforms. The station’s historic masonry walls and entrance canopy were also restored.