Downstairs Upstairs

I learned something new tonight about getting around the South Loop

03/16/2012 9:56 PM

By Bonnie McGrath

New route up to Roosevelt Road (with Venus and Jupiter above)

It was like I couldn't stop myself. After hearing the Lyric Opera lecture about Handel's opera Rinaldo tonight (at the Civic Opera House for the second time--I heard it last Monday, too), I was meandering home when I decided for the first time in my personal South Loop history to just keep going south on Wells. I was implacably curious to see if there was any way to get from "sea level" on the fairly recently-paved Wells Street south of Polk, on into the Roosevelt Collection--in order to get up onto the Roosevelt Road bridge to get home. I saw lots of people walking dogs--but I also saw a lot of chain link and doors without doorknobs on the outside. So I was a little doubtful.

But I found just the thing. Shortly before arriving at the underside of the bridge, I spotted a florescently-lit hallway with an unlocked door that had an elevator that went up to another florescently-lit hallway after I pressed the button with a star that said "Theater." When I got off, the big driveway level in front of the complex was just outside. The center court is under construction now, after having its empty center buildings torn down. (The elevator had another button indicating another level above--but a security guard told me that won't work until they get some retailers in there.) To get to the theater, you have to go outside onto Delano Court and walk north again. But I ended up just steps from Roosevelt, a stone's throw from Target and a block from home.

Also had a great view looking back over the west building of Venus and Jupiter--which are conjoined in a tight little configuration for the moment.

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By Bonnie McGrath from South Loop
Posted: 03/17/2012 10:50 PM

I don't know the answer to 1. or 3. Regarding 2., I'd like to know exactly where that elevator is--that should be a good one for River City residents to use if farther north of the one I used. Or could we be talking about the same one? The one I used is good for River City residents, too--albeit you still have to backtrack a short distance north down Delano Court.

By Neil Rosenbaum from South Loop River City
Posted: 03/17/2012 8:06 PM

A Couple of Comments: 1. When Wells was under renovation, Fioretti (visiting us at River City) indicated there was going to be a path to get from Wells to Roosevelt. Are these elevators supposed to be that promised route? 2. There is another elevator further north that gets you to the Roosevelt Road level. 3. Why didn't the Roosevelt Collection inform the neighborhood of these elevators. Those who don't know have to take a longer route to get to the theater.