04.24.2006 Shops Coming To Randolph Terminal Could Feed Millennium Hungry
Shops Coming To Randolph Terminal Could Feed Millennium Hungry
Bob Roberts Reporting
CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio 780) -- Now that Metra has finished refurbishing its Randolph Street terminal at Millennium Park, it s adding shops that may entice more than commuters.
WBBM Newsradio 780 s Bob Roberts reports, early next month, a news stand, a florist and a new "Sweet Tooth Cafe" will open.
But what s next will be the answer to one of the biggest complaints about Millennium Park -- the inability to find cheap food. Metra has letters of intent from Subway, Cinnabon and two coffee shops.
Add to that the upscale touches leasing agent Paul Beitler has added, and Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano is one happy man.
He even raves about the lavatories.
"They actually have attendants. They give out mints. They give out mouthwash. It s an amazing process," Pagano said.
The presence of the attendants also has deterred would-be vandals and graffiti artists.
Pagano said the station remains "sparkling," and that Beitler has followed through on promises to deliver holiday decorations, Christmas carolers and St. Patrick s Day festivities.
Beitler also is negotiating with Bath and Bodyworks and Chase Bank, among other potential tenants.
Metra had expected rents to be $65 a square foot, but said the demand has driven the price to $70-90 a square foot. As a result, Metra expects to make $206,000 from rentals this year, and $290- 320,000 next year -- a figure Metra did not expect to see until 2008 at the earliest.
Chairman Jeffrey Ladd said the Randolph terminal is unrecognizable to anyone who saw it before renovations began.
"I can remember what a dump that was for so long," Ladd said. "It looks wonderful and it s clearly the nicest-looking station we have in the system."
Now that Metra has renovated Randolph Street terminal, it expects to announce renovations to the food court at Ogilvie Transportation Center, the former North Western Station.
