Work underway on seven-story West Loop parking garage

A big component of the West Loop's appeal—and its unprecedented development boom—is the neighborhood's access to transit: CTA stations at Morgan and Ashland and, perhaps, in the not-too-distant future a dedicated Metra stop. Despite these riches, the Plumbers Local Union 130 came to the conclusion that it made sense to build a 502-space parking garage at 1371 W. Randolph Street.

Caisson foundation work is now in full swing on the seven-story structure, which replaces a surface parking lot. Designed by OKW Architects, the garage will be open to union members as well as the general public. The $25 million project will also provide space for 36 bicycles and ground-level retail fronting Randolph Street. W.E. O'Neil Construction serves as the general contractor.

The upcoming garage will give Plumbers Local 130 capacity to grow its West Loop campus (the union plans future phased development on the vacant lot to the immediate east) and should make life a little easier for the valet companies operating along Restuarant Row. That said, more parking in an urban setting often brings increased congestion through a well-documented phenomenon known as "induced demand." In other words, if you build it they will come...