The American division of CSR Sifang, a train manufacturer formerly owned by the Chinese government, received approval from the Chicago Plan Commission to construct a 380,994 square foot factory in which they’ll produce the Chicago Transit Authority’s 7000-series rail cars.
The large industrial site at what’s being called 13535 S Torrence Ave. is next to the Grand Calumet River and has two buildings that will be demolished. CenterPoint, the property owner which has many intermodal holdings, had been marketing the two buildings. The plant will be built parallel to the diagonal railroad tracks and yard, which also South Shore Line trains between Millennium Station in Chicago and South Bend, Indiana.
There will be two parking lots for 315 cars. The nearest bus stop is far away, as Yonah Freemark pointed out — over 2.5 km walking because there’s no pedestrian connection over the tracks or towards a small subdivision in Burnham, Illinois.
CTA ordered 846 cars from CSR Sifang, and the first testing cars should arrive in 2019. The base order includes 400 cars for $632 million. The total value of the contract is $1.31 billion.
Curbed Chicago and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, which provides expertise to the Plan Commission, reported the approval on Thursday. The Plan Commission considered the proposal because it was a planned development in Planned Manufacturing District #6, Lake Calumet.
Update: The new construction building permit was issued on May 24, 2017.