On a side note, I would be interested in reading a report on how well Apple cleaned the site up. I know it would have been regulated by Fed and State requirements, but did they go the extra mile? After all, Apple touts itself for being environmentally responsible.
"Well maintained", like everything government touches -- just more proof government mismanages money and the CTA is LONG overdue to be in private hands instead of government. Why subsidize unprofitable routes?! Tired of government welfare/theft!
Considering that Chicago is a direct line to the White House, it wouldn't be surprising to find that Apple's investment here pays for more than just a subway stop.
Chicago's failure to properly manage their subways is not my problem with my purchases of Apple products.
You're ridiculous on so many levels. Apple is doing this IN THEIR OWN CORPORATE INTEREST. IT IS AN INVESTMENT THEY BELIEVE WILL PAY OFF IN INCREASED REVENUE AND PROFITS. IF APPLE SELLS MORE, THEY CAN CHARGE LESS (if they want.)
You're right that the fact that public infrastructure is crumbling around our ears demands a sustainable solution in which we shouldn't have to depend on the whims of corporations to maintain it for us when it suits them, but this solution IS A FORM OF SOCIALISM.
This news story has nothing to do with Obama. Lincoln Park is a yuppie area on the north side of town. Obama and his friends are from the south side of Chicago. These are completely different neighborhoods and therefore, a different set of aldermen and local business interests would be represented. Indeed, half of the renovation costs may be "administrative" costs associated with greasing a lot of neighborhood palms.
A bigger problem for businesses such as Apple: Chicago did not get the Olympics because of traffic and congestion issues. Let's safely assume that very few apartments and only some neighborhood condos have a $30,000 deeded parking space. How would you like to live in a Chicago apartment or condo and be forced to drive around the neighborhood for 20-30 minutes in order to find street parking. And if successful, you may have to park one or two streets from your residence and walk. Imagine a visitor to a local neighborhood trying to find a parking space.
Renovating a station for $4 million is a nice idea. That facility would allow Apple to install technologies that showcase their products. I would be far more impressed if Apple could spearhead a campaign for the installation of attractive, *inexpensive* above-ground parking garages throughout the entire neighborhood. Forget that stupid argument that people cannot pay for new Ipods and MacBook Pros in this economy. Even the guy on welfare quickly pays his cable TV bill before considering any other bills. The focus should be: Who can afford to spend $10+ an hour just to park in a garage and browse the retail stores for less than one hour. In contrast to Michigan avenue, which draws a lot of traffic from tourists from out of town and who are more inclined to pay $25 for a couple of hours, the Lincoln Park store would be frequented by locals - many of whom do not own a car.
Why would any "upscale" retail establishment want to open a store next to a run-down public building. Apple is doing the right thing in renovating the station and keeping the 1940's look. Remember: "Retro is cool." The pre-1950 architecture is one big reason why so many young people and empty-nesters from across the country are attracted to Chicago. Because a place to park in most Chicago neighborhoods is hard to find, convenience to public transportation for residents is critical.
As an aside, Apple *owns* the portable device market. Who cares about Windows 7 when desktop sales remain flat. I hope that it is only a matter of time before M$ gets pushed out of the server room. (I cannot wait. I absolutely detest Exchange).
Holy crap, is that like a photo from the 70s or something? Developing country? Everyone keeps telling me things there can look run down, but pretty startling to see the shot.
Hats of to Apple for getting involved in a little bit of urban regeneration to enhance the area for everyone. It's a good thing.
No, that's not an optical illusion you see. That's just the state of America these days, especially of the Chicago Transit Authority, which US regulators said had the worst conditions they'd seen on any US subway system after they investigated a serious fire during rush hour on the Blue Line a few years ago (only a VERY capable CTA driver prevented fatalities; he led the passengers out of the tunnel in thick smoke through a manhole cover he knew about that the CTA had failed to mark from the tunnel).
The $4 million should be comfortably enough to renovate the station headhouse and the site. New roof, windows, doors and completely gut and rehabilitate the building. Architecturally, it's worth it. This building is unique in the Chicago system -- it's the only above-ground headhouse for a CTA subway station. All the others, you go down a flight of stairs from the sidewalk before you reach the ticketing area. So this is more of a London kind of building than a Chicago one.
However, that amount of money won't do very much for the underground part of the station, where the CTA needs elevators, escalators, tunnel liners, new lighting, new platforms, etc. etc. in order to bring the station up to modern standards and clean it up. We might see some new signage and platform surfacing but you're certainly not going to see things like elevators for that price.
And why can't the Chicago subway system renovate it's own station?
Why do socialists always capitalize on successful capitalists? Like leaches or something.
Raise the subway fee's a little, renovate the station and rent out space. Be self sustaining or at least make a little profit on it's own merits, not on the backs of companies who will just pass those costs onto guess who?
Chicago's failure isn't our problem and we shouldn't be paying for it through higher costs for our computers.
And to boot Apple has to still pay for advertising which it should be getting for free for the 4 million. Well that's one less Apple product I will buy now to make up for it. What goes around comes around.
Also flashy areas are just places people go to forget how bad the economy is and think they are wealthy. The Apple Stores are filled with lots of people looking, but not buying. That's why the prices have been lowered recently.
The real wealthy types don't need or bother with computers (with their headaches and all) and there are not enough of them spending enough to make it worthwhile catering to their small market. If they use one it's only one computer just like most everyone else.
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - Margret Thatcher
1) Simple errors: It's Margaret, not Margret Thatcher; the possessive is "its", not "it's" (a contraction of "It is"); the plural of "fee" is "fees", not "fee's"; and the blood-sucking creature is a leech, not a leach.
2) Errors in logic: Margaret Thatcher is quite right. That is why the CTA is to be lauded for assembling a deal that simultaneously furthers its goals while affording companies opportunities they feel are worth their investment. Instead of simply sucking more money directly from city, state, and U.S. taxpayers to renovate the station in question, the CTA has found a company in Apple which believes that it is worth the money to make the approaches to its store match the quality image it projects.
There is no indication that there was anything coercive about convincing Apple to enter into this agreement, and so it could hardly be categorized as "on the backs" of companies. It's not a television commercial, true, but it's still advertising, plain and simple.
Further, with a projected $178 million deficit, the suggestion that increased rider fees, restructured service, and other fiscal measures are not imminent seems a little ... let's say naive. In short, if Apple -- or any other company -- decides its private or shareholder equity is wisely spent on such a deal, it's a win-win scenario.
Apple's recent fourth fiscal quarter results belie your assertion that Apple's retail stores are designed to delude the gullible masses into ignoring their financial hardship. It would seem instead that quite a few people have concluded that Apple's products are of high quality and reliability, and that they are in fact an excellent investment in difficult times.
Since I am not a medical professional, I am not qualified to address the underlying resentment you display toward the affluent.
Oh then why did Obama fly to Stokholm and plead for the Olympics for Chicago? Certainly you're not suggesting that he was secrectly meeting the Nobel committee a week before the announcement of his winning?
Also, most of his staff is Chicago local yocals. His interests lie not far from where the Acorn drops.
There was a report last week stating that the city (taxpayers) is paying for upgrades to that building and that Daley's brother has space in Willis Tower. Business as usual in Chicago.
I'm not saying Chicago isn't corrupt. Just that Apple getting the naming rights somehow is being Socialist is nuts. And this in any way being tied to the White House is nuts. Oh, and what you said had nothing to do with Willis getting the naming rights.
The problem with Capitalism is you never run out of other people's money! Think billions of $$ of bailouts going to bankers and wall street types to cover their asses and "mistakes"!
How's that Capitalism thing working out for you?
Hard to tell: Spending and putting at risk hundreds of billions of public dollars to prop up companies which, thanks their managements' poor choices, would otherwise have failed is hardly capitalism. Sounds more like 1970s Communist Eastern Europe. How did those policies work out for them?
I really find it all very interesting and then after awhile it makes me depressed that people and corporations abandon things like this so willingly. I understand there are circumstances that often necessitate it , but it just makes me sad.
And why can't the Chicago subway system renovate it's own station?
Why do socialists always capitalize on successful capitalists? Like leaches or something.
Raise the subway fee's a little, renovate the station and rent out space. Be self sustaining or at least make a little profit on it's own merits, not on the backs of companies who will just pass those costs onto guess who?
US. Yes US.
I'm now paying for renovations to a Chicago subway station that I will never use.
r
Your name is very fitting.. although MacCrackhead would have been more appropriate.
Comments
"We're really proud of this next stop."
/PA system
Jimzip
Considering that Chicago is a direct line to the White House, it wouldn't be surprising to find that Apple's investment here pays for more than just a subway stop.
Utter nonsense.
Chicago's failure to properly manage their subways is not my problem with my purchases of Apple products.
You're ridiculous on so many levels. Apple is doing this IN THEIR OWN CORPORATE INTEREST. IT IS AN INVESTMENT THEY BELIEVE WILL PAY OFF IN INCREASED REVENUE AND PROFITS. IF APPLE SELLS MORE, THEY CAN CHARGE LESS (if they want.)
You're right that the fact that public infrastructure is crumbling around our ears demands a sustainable solution in which we shouldn't have to depend on the whims of corporations to maintain it for us when it suits them, but this solution IS A FORM OF SOCIALISM.
Are we clear?
A bigger problem for businesses such as Apple: Chicago did not get the Olympics because of traffic and congestion issues. Let's safely assume that very few apartments and only some neighborhood condos have a $30,000 deeded parking space. How would you like to live in a Chicago apartment or condo and be forced to drive around the neighborhood for 20-30 minutes in order to find street parking. And if successful, you may have to park one or two streets from your residence and walk. Imagine a visitor to a local neighborhood trying to find a parking space.
Renovating a station for $4 million is a nice idea. That facility would allow Apple to install technologies that showcase their products. I would be far more impressed if Apple could spearhead a campaign for the installation of attractive, *inexpensive* above-ground parking garages throughout the entire neighborhood. Forget that stupid argument that people cannot pay for new Ipods and MacBook Pros in this economy. Even the guy on welfare quickly pays his cable TV bill before considering any other bills. The focus should be: Who can afford to spend $10+ an hour just to park in a garage and browse the retail stores for less than one hour. In contrast to Michigan avenue, which draws a lot of traffic from tourists from out of town and who are more inclined to pay $25 for a couple of hours, the Lincoln Park store would be frequented by locals - many of whom do not own a car.
Why would any "upscale" retail establishment want to open a store next to a run-down public building. Apple is doing the right thing in renovating the station and keeping the 1940's look. Remember: "Retro is cool." The pre-1950 architecture is one big reason why so many young people and empty-nesters from across the country are attracted to Chicago. Because a place to park in most Chicago neighborhoods is hard to find, convenience to public transportation for residents is critical.
As an aside, Apple *owns* the portable device market. Who cares about Windows 7 when desktop sales remain flat. I hope that it is only a matter of time before M$ gets pushed out of the server room. (I cannot wait. I absolutely detest Exchange).
Holy crap, is that like a photo from the 70s or something? Developing country? Everyone keeps telling me things there can look run down, but pretty startling to see the shot.
Hats of to Apple for getting involved in a little bit of urban regeneration to enhance the area for everyone. It's a good thing.
No, that's not an optical illusion you see. That's just the state of America these days, especially of the Chicago Transit Authority, which US regulators said had the worst conditions they'd seen on any US subway system after they investigated a serious fire during rush hour on the Blue Line a few years ago (only a VERY capable CTA driver prevented fatalities; he led the passengers out of the tunnel in thick smoke through a manhole cover he knew about that the CTA had failed to mark from the tunnel).
The $4 million should be comfortably enough to renovate the station headhouse and the site. New roof, windows, doors and completely gut and rehabilitate the building. Architecturally, it's worth it. This building is unique in the Chicago system -- it's the only above-ground headhouse for a CTA subway station. All the others, you go down a flight of stairs from the sidewalk before you reach the ticketing area. So this is more of a London kind of building than a Chicago one.
However, that amount of money won't do very much for the underground part of the station, where the CTA needs elevators, escalators, tunnel liners, new lighting, new platforms, etc. etc. in order to bring the station up to modern standards and clean it up. We might see some new signage and platform surfacing but you're certainly not going to see things like elevators for that price.
And why can't the Chicago subway system renovate it's own station?
Why do socialists always capitalize on successful capitalists? Like leaches or something.
Raise the subway fee's a little, renovate the station and rent out space. Be self sustaining or at least make a little profit on it's own merits, not on the backs of companies who will just pass those costs onto guess who?
Chicago's failure isn't our problem and we shouldn't be paying for it through higher costs for our computers.
And to boot Apple has to still pay for advertising which it should be getting for free for the 4 million. Well that's one less Apple product I will buy now to make up for it. What goes around comes around.
Also flashy areas are just places people go to forget how bad the economy is and think they are wealthy. The Apple Stores are filled with lots of people looking, but not buying. That's why the prices have been lowered recently.
The real wealthy types don't need or bother with computers (with their headaches and all) and there are not enough of them spending enough to make it worthwhile catering to their small market. If they use one it's only one computer just like most everyone else.
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - Margret Thatcher
1) Simple errors: It's Margaret, not Margret Thatcher; the possessive is "its", not "it's" (a contraction of "It is"); the plural of "fee" is "fees", not "fee's"; and the blood-sucking creature is a leech, not a leach.
2) Errors in logic: Margaret Thatcher is quite right. That is why the CTA is to be lauded for assembling a deal that simultaneously furthers its goals while affording companies opportunities they feel are worth their investment. Instead of simply sucking more money directly from city, state, and U.S. taxpayers to renovate the station in question, the CTA has found a company in Apple which believes that it is worth the money to make the approaches to its store match the quality image it projects.
There is no indication that there was anything coercive about convincing Apple to enter into this agreement, and so it could hardly be categorized as "on the backs" of companies. It's not a television commercial, true, but it's still advertising, plain and simple.
Further, with a projected $178 million deficit, the suggestion that increased rider fees, restructured service, and other fiscal measures are not imminent seems a little ... let's say naive. In short, if Apple -- or any other company -- decides its private or shareholder equity is wisely spent on such a deal, it's a win-win scenario.
Apple's recent fourth fiscal quarter results belie your assertion that Apple's retail stores are designed to delude the gullible masses into ignoring their financial hardship. It would seem instead that quite a few people have concluded that Apple's products are of high quality and reliability, and that they are in fact an excellent investment in difficult times.
Since I am not a medical professional, I am not qualified to address the underlying resentment you display toward the affluent.
A gas station? They're going to have to spend a lot more money digging up the tanks and cleaning the site up.
I can't really argue with the choice of location, though. Every penny they spend is worth it for that address.
The building's foundation is in and the frame is up. Construction on the project is well underway.
Oh then why did Obama fly to Stokholm and plead for the Olympics for Chicago? Certainly you're not suggesting that he was secrectly meeting the Nobel committee a week before the announcement of his winning?
Also, most of his staff is Chicago local yocals. His interests lie not far from where the Acorn drops.
Did Rush tell you this?
There was a report last week stating that the city (taxpayers) is paying for upgrades to that building and that Daley's brother has space in Willis Tower. Business as usual in Chicago.
I'm not saying Chicago isn't corrupt. Just that Apple getting the naming rights somehow is being Socialist is nuts. And this in any way being tied to the White House is nuts. Oh, and what you said had nothing to do with Willis getting the naming rights.
The problem with Capitalism is you never run out of other people's money! Think billions of $$ of bailouts going to bankers and wall street types to cover their asses and "mistakes"!
How's that Capitalism thing working out for you?
Hard to tell: Spending and putting at risk hundreds of billions of public dollars to prop up companies which, thanks their managements' poor choices, would otherwise have failed is hardly capitalism. Sounds more like 1970s Communist Eastern Europe. How did those policies work out for them?
Did Rush tell you this?
Who's Rush?
Who's Rush?
Your Lord and Savior, didn't you know? All that you believe has been passed down by him.
There are several really good photo collections of abandoned buildings with fantastic architecture in Detroit and Chicago you might be interested in.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickhar...7620856257576/
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com...scrapers/16195
and an amazing number of pictures and history here:
http://www.forgottendetroit.com/index.html
I really find it all very interesting and then after awhile it makes me depressed that people and corporations abandon things like this so willingly. I understand there are circumstances that often necessitate it , but it just makes me sad.
Thank you for sharing!
And why can't the Chicago subway system renovate it's own station?
Why do socialists always capitalize on successful capitalists? Like leaches or something.
Raise the subway fee's a little, renovate the station and rent out space. Be self sustaining or at least make a little profit on it's own merits, not on the backs of companies who will just pass those costs onto guess who?
US. Yes US.
I'm now paying for renovations to a Chicago subway station that I will never use.
r
Your name is very fitting.. although MacCrackhead would have been more appropriate.
Your Lord and Savior, didn't you know? All that you believe has been passed down by him.
Sorry- the only Rush I know of is a rockband from back in the day. You must be talking about the Dear Dark Lord Satan.