City steps toward securing cash to buy South Loop Greyhound station

Chicago is on the cusp of securing funds to purchase and renovate its long-abandoned South Loop Greyhound bus station, marking a significant step towards revitalizing a critical transportation hub in the city's central area.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration has been pushing for the acquisition, with initial plans indicating a $50 million allocation. Alderman Bill Conway (34th Ward) recently unearthed this provision in the city's 2026 budget process, a development that promises to breathe new life into the crumbling station.

The Greyhound terminal at 630 W. Harrison St has been in disrepair for years and was facing an uncertain future after its owner, Twenty Lake Holdings, announced plans to lease it out on a month-to-month basis. However, thanks to a last-minute reprieve, the property will remain open – albeit with significant improvements.

The city's vision for the station involves not only upgrading the existing facilities but also repurposing it as an anchor point in the region's transportation network. Researchers at DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development have outlined plans for a renovated station that would boast improved waiting areas, enhanced passenger amenities, and a rebranding that reflects its role as a hub connecting commuters to destinations across the metropolitan area.

While the city's administration is optimistic about securing the necessary funds, not everyone shares this enthusiasm. Alderman Conway expresses concerns over the city's ability to secure a fair deal on the property and worries about ensuring public safety around the bus station.

With an April 14 Community Development Commission meeting set as the first hearing on the proposed tax increment financing (TIF) amendment, there remains much work to be done before this ambitious project can become a reality.

omg, I'm so done with the Greyhound thing like, I get it, it's old and stuff but come on 50 million bucks? that's a lotta cash u think they're gonna just magically make it safe and pretty overnight? please Alderman Conway is right to be worried tho, we gotta make sure the city doesn't get taken advantage of by Twenty Lake Holdings. and btw, repurposing it as a hub in the transportation network sounds legit but what about the people who already use it like daily commuters? aren't they gonna lose their spot or something? anyway, fingers crossed the city can pull this off

omg u guys gotta chill lol i'm so hyped about this news!!! chicago is finally gonna get its bus station renovated and it's gonna be SO cool!!! they're plannin to make it an awesome hub with comfy waiting areas and all that jazz i feel like it's gonna bring in so much life to the area and who cares if some ppl are worried about a deal or public safety stuff let's not focus on that rn we should be stoked for our city!!!

omg i'm so stoked to hear that chicago is finally gonna get its act together and revamp that old greyhound bus station! it's been a eyesore in the south loop for ages . i mean, can you imagine how much better the whole area will look with that place all fixed up? plus, think of all the people who'll be able to get around chicago without having to deal with those crazy traffic jams .

i'm a bit worried about the alderman's concerns tho... like, how are they gonna make sure it stays safe and doesn't become some sketchy hub for crime or something? . but overall, i'm all for it! let's get that money flowing in and turn this place into a beautiful transportation hub . fingers crossed everything goes smoothly from here on out

Ugh, great, just what we need, another sinking city fund. $50 million is a drop in the bucket for all the issues Chicago's got. And what's with the 'revitalizing' nonsense? It's just gonna be some fancy-pants renovation and they'll still have to deal with the problems of the area – crime, lack of jobs, etc. Alderman Conway's right to be worried about public safety, btw, this could end up being a disaster waiting to happen.

I'm stoked to see Chicago getting its act together and investing in this old Greyhound station! It's crazy to think about how it's been sitting empty for years . The city's got some serious plans in the works, from new waiting areas to improved passenger amenities – it'll be a game-changer for commuters. And, fingers crossed, they can get that TIF amendment sorted without any hiccups . I've always thought this station had potential, and now it looks like we might finally see some progress . It's about time!

Ugh, I'm not buying it ... they'll just throw some cash at the station and slap a fancy logo on it, but what about all the other problems? Like, have they even considered the actual maintenance costs after the renovation is done? And what about the noise pollution from those buses? It's gonna be a disaster. And don't even get me started on the TIF thing... sounds like just another way to stick the taxpayers with the bill

OMG u no w how exsiting it is 2 hear dat Chicago is gonna renovate da Greyhound bus station!!! Dats gonna b a game changer 4 commuters in da city! I think its a gr8 idea 2 repurpose da old terminal into somethin new & improved. I hope dey can get da funds & make it happen 4april

I'm all for this, but I do hope they don't rush into things . Renovating an abandoned bus station is a massive undertaking and we need to make sure it's done right. I mean, $50 million is a decent chunk of change, but what about the long-term maintenance costs? And how are they planning to ensure public safety around the station? Alderman Conway's got some legit concerns there . That being said, if this can bring in more foot traffic and economic activity to the area, it could be a game-changer for the city. I just hope they're thinking about the people who actually use the bus station and not just lining someone's pockets .

I'm all for it ! The South Loop Greyhound station has been a ghost of its former self for far too long . It's high time we breathe some life into that spot and make it a proud part of our transportation network . I love the idea of repurposing it with improved waiting areas, amenities, and a fresh rebranding – it'll definitely make commuters feel welcome . Of course, there are always naysayers like Alderman Conway worrying about public safety and fair deals, but I think we can work through those details .

It's great to see the city administration pushing forward with this project . $50 million might seem like a lot, but trust me, it'll be worth it in the long run . And let's not forget, this is about more than just renovating a bus station – it's about connecting our community and making Chicago an even better place to live .

The South Loop Greyhound station has been abandoned for ages, it's crazy that the city is finally taking action . I'm all for revamping it and making it an important transportation hub, especially with the plan to connect commuters to surrounding areas . But what worries me is if they can actually pull off the renovation without breaking the bank . Alderman Conway's concerns about securing a fair deal on the property are valid, we don't want some big corp taking advantage of the city's good intentions . Fingers crossed that everything falls into place and we get to see this project come to life soon !

idk why they're gettin hyped about renovatin this old Greyhound station it's just a bus terminal. like, what's the big deal? gonna make a few bucks off a fancy waiting area and some rebranded signage doesn't change the fact that it's still just a bus stop. and what about the long-term costs of maintainin this thing? not to mention the possibility of another owner comin in and turnin it into some soulless corporate monstrosity seems like the city's gettin ahead of itself on this one

Ugh, finally! The South Loop Greyhound station is getting some love . It's been abandoned for years and it's about time we see some decent investment go into that area. $50 million is a drop in the bucket compared to what this place needs, but I guess it's better than nothing .

I can see why Alderman Conway is worried though - there are going to be a lot of people involved in this project and not everyone's going to be happy with the outcome . But come on, it's not like we're talking about some fancy-schmancy skyscraper here, just a bus station that needs a bit of TLC .

I'm all for repurposing it as an anchor point in the transportation network - can you imagine how busy this place is going to be once they revamp it? And those waiting areas and passenger amenities? Game-changer . Just hope they don't mess it up .

I think it's dope that Chicago is trying to give its old Greyhound station some love . It's been neglected for years and now the city wants to turn it into a hub, which would be awesome for commuters . I'm curious to see how they'll manage to get $50 million to make those changes . Alderman Conway's concerns about public safety are valid tho . We need to make sure that any changes made won't put people at risk or drive away the community . It's all about finding a balance between progress and preservation, you feel me?

OMG, I'm so stoked to hear that Chicago is gonna get its act together and renovate the South Loop Greyhound bus station ! It's been in such disrepair for ages and it's crazy how one guy (Alderman Bill Conway) found out about the plan to lease it out month-to-month. That would've been a total loss for the city, you feel?

I love that the city is thinking big and wants to repurpose it as a hub connecting people to all parts of the metro area . Those waiting areas and passenger amenities sound like a total game-changer for commuters! But yikes, I can see why Alderman Conway is worried about securing a fair deal on the property and ensuring public safety around the bus station .

Fingers crossed that everything comes together and this project becomes a reality by April . It'd be so sick to have a renovated Greyhound station in Chicago!

OMG, can you believe Chicago is finally getting its Greyhound station revamped?! It's about time someone gave that place some love! The plans for the renovated station are fire - who wouldn't want upgraded waiting areas and better amenities? I'm all about it!

But, let's get real, we need to make sure this project doesn't fall through the cracks. #ChicagoDeservesBetter Alderman Conway's concerns about public safety around the bus station are totally valid. We gotta prioritize our citizens' well-being here!

I'm rooting for Mayor Johnson's administration to secure those funds and make this vision a reality! The potential for a revitalized transportation hub in Chicago is huge! #TransportationRevolution #ChicagoOnTheMove

I'm low-key hyped that Chicago's gonna get its Greyhound back! Renovating that station is long overdue, and it'll be awesome to have a modern bus hub in the South Loop . Plus, connecting commuters to other parts of the city sounds like a game-changer for daily commutes . I just hope they can figure out the logistics and make sure public safety is on point . Alderman Conway's concerns are legit tho, we don't wanna be stuck with a situation where the city ends up losing out on that property . Fingers crossed it all works out!

omg i just love when cities invest in their infrastructure like chicago is getting a major facelift and it's going to make such a huge difference for people living in south loop also the thought of an upgraded waiting area with comfy chairs and free wifi is literally the best thing ever can't wait to see how this project turns out!!!

omg i cant even imagine how cool it'll be to have a renovated Greyhound station in the South Loop!!! i've had to wait forever at that old bus station during study breaks with friends and now they're planning to turn it into an actual transportation hub?! that's like, crazy ambitious . i do wonder if they'll include some comfy seating areas for us students who need a power nap after a long day of classes tho . anyway, i'm all for revitalizing the area and making it more convenient for commuters . fingers crossed they can make this project happen soon!

I'm not sure why people are already doubting the city's plan for the Greyhound station... I mean, it's about time something was done with that abandoned space! It's not like they're just going to let it sit there and become a safety hazard. And think of all the jobs that will be created when it gets renovated... plus, it'll be a huge hub for public transportation. I get where Alderman Conway is coming from, though - you don't want to overpay for a property or compromise on safety standards. But let's not dismiss this project out of hand just yet! Maybe we can learn something from how other cities have redeveloped their old bus stations into thriving community spaces...