Improvements to a pair of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line stations on the Northwest Side will be assisted with up to $9 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) under a plan approved today by City Council.

The $13 million rehabilitation of the Grand Avenue subway station at 502 N. Milwaukee Ave. in West Town will be supported with $4 million in TIF funds. Planned improvements include canopies over two street-level entrances, new finishes on the mezzanine and passenger platform, new stairs, a new escalator, improved lighting, signage and furniture. The station, which hasn’t been significantly renovated since opening in 1951, serves about 700,000 riders annually.

The $25 million rehabilitation of the Jefferson Park station at 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave. will be supported by $5 million in TIF. Planned upgrades include an improved bus turn-around and new canopies, lighting, escalators and stairs. The station opened in 1970 and accommodates 2 million passengers annually as an intermodal facility serving CTA, Metra and Pace riders.

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