The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Damen Green Line station on the Near West Side officially reopened on August 5 after being closed for nearly a century.

The redesigned station will improve accessibility to the nearby United Center while stimulating local growth, creating jobs and expanding commuter options for residents.

According to a statement from the mayor’s office, the upgraded Damen Green Line station will close a 1.5-mile gap in service between the existing Ashland and California stations and serve the Kinzie Industrial Corridor, the United Center, Malcolm X College and the growing Near West Side residential area.

The station offers quick access to CTA buses, pedestrian paths, and bike share options. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has installed the city’s 1,000th Divvy station next to the new station, providing residents with environmentally friendly transportation options.

According to the mayor’s office, CTA and CDOT worked closely on the $80 million TIF-funded project, with additional support from construction firm FH Paschen and Chicago-based architectural firm Perkins & Will.

The station features a mural by artist Folayemi Wilson, commissioned by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), celebrating the diverse cultural communities of the Near West Side.

“This new station is a groundbreaking achievement for our city,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “The highly anticipated Damen Green Line on Chicago’s Near West Side will create a ripple effect in this neighborhood and attract future investment for a vibrant center of mixed-use development.”

CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. added, “The Damen Green Line is more than just a station. It is an impressive, modern and accessible gateway to Chicago’s West Side, providing better transit and opportunities for all who live and work in the surrounding communities.”