ifoAppleStore is reporting that Apple will spend around $4 million to refurbish a dilapidated subway station located next to the site of a future Apple store on Halsted St. in Chicago. In return for refurbishing the subway the Chicago Transit Authority will issue Apple a long-term lease on an vacant bus turnaround that divides the subway station from the Apple store, which will allow the Apple to turn this space into a public park.
Over the years, the CTA’s building has fallen behind on maintenance. The paint is peeling, the windows are filthy, an electrical sign has dangling wires, and metal framing is rusting. Inside the building and underground, the station features white tile walls and fluorescent lighting, with hallways leading to two narrow platforms underground.
In the agreement approved at an August 19th Chicago Transit Board meeting, in exchange for the improvements the CTA will lease the bus turnaround to Apple at no cost for 10 years, with options on four, five-year extensions. The CTA will also give Apple “first rights of refusal” for naming the station and placing advertising within the station, if the CTA later decides to offer those rights.
It is being reported that Apple will spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,789,000 on external remodeling, and pay the CTA $2,108,000 for remodeling on the interior. Work is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2010, which suggests an opening date for the actual Apple Store itself could be around that time.
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