Wilson Red Line Station

Wilson is the worst station on the Red Line, and possibly on the entire CTA route. To be fair, there are a few others that are almost as bad (Irving Park Blue, Roosevelt Red, etc.), but I think this has the most potent combination of stench, disrepair, and shady characters. I can’t recall a time all of the equipment worked. There’s always a turnstile or fare card bending machine out of order, non-​working lights, and so-​on. From what I hear, safety in — and around — the station is questionable. I’ve never experienced problems, but I can imagine someone less intimidating could have a hard time. I happen to like the Popeye’s Chicken, but that’s all them — the CTA doesn’t get credit for Popeye’s. The only positive thing I can say is that the view from the platform is kind of nice. That said; unless I have to, I’d rather just avoid the Wilson Red Line Station.

I have to review this train station because it reeks! It just screams despair, dread, disgust, disease, disaster, danger and, well, you get the point. It’s filthy and I feel faint walking up those stairs. I am glad that there is a stop at Wilson, especially since I have found a few gems within walking distance, but damn! I need the CTA to get it together! And fast!

Out of curiosity I looked at some older reviews. Seems like even 3 years ago when Target opened, there was hope this CTA station would be remodeled. Apparently there’s no hope remaining.
Normally I would not walk around that area of uptown at night. But we had gone to Target and ended up having to leave my car in the parking garage (as it decided to stop working.) Walked to the Wilson stop. This place is disgusting. It is dark and dreary and looks abandoned. There is garbage and filth all around. Anybody could be hiding in any corner of this place and they would be well concealed. How can the CTA let this place operate under these conditions? Why isn’t something being done? Why is there no security? I feel the CTA is libel for anything that goes wrong here.
i would recommend no one ever enter here alone.

It’s not safe. Ever. Morning. Noon. Night. Pay attention you your surroundings at all times, as the steady traffic of shady people constantly surround you all hours. Security is there. Quality? Pending. Depends on who gets stuck with the night shift. It’s not the stop you should worry about, it’s what happens the second you step on the sidewalk and are no longer protected. Holy hell. Here’s where you really need to pay close attention… unless you have an ugly purse you want stolen to justify buying a new one. If ya can, just don’t come up here. Well, come to Uptown, I love it. Just get off at Sheridan or the following stop, even if it’s inconvenient. The walk and fresh air will do you some good ;)

This is the stop I dread on the red-​line commute. This is almost always the stop you can expect to bring on board a loud, crazy, menacing, smelly, or otherwise unpleasant passenger to your car. On the few occasions I have gotten on or off at this station, I found it basically in disrepair, full of weirdos and borderline frightening.
Hopefully the renovation will come through this year, but as it stands, this is the worst Red Line stop North of downtown.

Many people believe that Uptown is caught in the past with little gentrification — except historically, the station was gorgeous in its heyday of being near the Uptown Theatre Entertainment District (don’t believe me:
). It’s partially true and a sad reality… and this train station is a reminder of Chicago’s dark side. I usually utilize the southside Wilson entrance which always has a line at its two turnstyles. Usually one pass machine is «out of service». The historic station and stairs leading up to the track reek of urine and are full of pigeon feces that causes everyone to be paranoid that they’ll present symptoms of Birds Fancier Lung (AKA: Pigeon’s Lung) during the next few weeks (it’s a real thing:
). I am always extra cognizant of my surroundings looking for stray bullets, getting pick-​picketed, being hit on by a sex worker, and avoiding drug deals.
Thankfully, after years of winning the CTA’s «grungiest station award» by voters, the station is going to be having a fabulous upgrade in the near future! Check it out at:
. As long as the $ 203 million are spent elsewhere, we look forward to its renovation beginning mid-​2013.

So, I had an errand to run in Uptown today, and I didn’t want to drive on the icy roads. I got off the Red Line at Wilson, and the platform was actually pretty clean. In addition, there was no one outside asking me for money. The freezing rain must have scared all of the sketchy people away.
Nothing special, but nothing bad either. 3 stars/​5

So. I have lived here in Uptown for 7 years.
And. unfortunately this is my train station.:(
Now, there have been talks of renovations for years.
And. boy. does this station need renovations!
Not much scares me but this station creeps me out especially when
entering on Broadway!
Upon entering it is pretty deserted and you know you’re in
trouble when the C.T.A. Personnel upstairs advises you to
have your money out especially if getting/​refilling transit/​chicago cards.
You see. scary looking people hang out here and I sure as hell
dont wanna be hanging around here any longer than I have to!
So here is my personal note to the C.T.A…
Since this is my home station please make it safe.
Because it truly scares the hell out of me!
You need to knock this sucker down and start from scratch.
You see. you keep raising fares and your customers should not be
afraid to enter your stations.
Hopefully I will still be alive to see renovations.
I am 51 after all!
The Clock is ticking C.T.A…:(

CTA is revamping the majority of its stops, why not start with Wilson. Here’s a few reasons to walk to the next stop to avoid this wreck.
–It smells like piss.
–The infrastructure is crumbling.
–Two psych wards are within walking distance.
–The patients are allowed to free-​roam.
–The patients will interact with you for free.
–It smells like piss.
–Crime is synonymous at the Wilson stop, you’ve been warned.
–Drugs are sold by the criminals, which is great if you’re an addict.
–Thugs try to intimidate me every time I’m waiting here, love getting eye-​balled.
Seriously CTA? Just keep walking.

As a rule, I never give less than three stars to a transit stop because they do get me from place to place. Yet if I weren’t so steadfast, I would probably dip below for this stop. Wilson is dirty and sketchy. If you can, walk North to Lawrence… it’s not far away.

Ugh! So gross.
Everything that you read here is true. This station smells like urine. It’s dirty and nasty. There are only three turn styles, of which two are usually being used by people trying to figure out if their fare cards have any money left on them.
It seems that the same toothless cracked out hooker is always outside this station soliciting customers, but all toothless cracked out hookers look the same to me. If that’s your thing, then this is your station.

Beyond horrifying.
This stop should be removed. Reeks of pee and sadness.

Yep, you are still a nasty, disgusting, and disturbing EL station.
Chicago’s shame.

My 1^st one star review and it feels so good to use it on the Wilson Red line stop.
I can’t believe that I for a second was worried about the man on the ground just past the turn style. Did he fall? Was he okay? NEITHER– he had crawled under to get a free ride and was just getting up as I walked by.
I can’t say enough horrendous things about this stop. I have actually called the CTA more than once to tell them that they were giving rides away for free. If there is an attendant he lets all the crazies in for free and if the attendant is away selling crack– all of the loonies in this hood pull all kinds of tricks to get a free ride.
I’m really hoping that the Target will encourage a rehab.

It’s become a game every morning and evening while on my way to and from work to dodge the gigantic spit wads, nasty questionable liquids and of course pee stains on the ground at this station.
It is the worst station I have seen, and obviously I am not the only one who views it this way because last year it was voted in The Red Eye as the worst station in Chicago. Now that says a lot, right?
The floor is falling apart, it smells like garbage and urine, the stairs look like they have seen better days, the limestone is covered in years of dust and rust, at least 4 days out of 5 you will smell the disgusting fried grease smell of popeyes and haf the time at least one machine is out of order.
I just hope they decide to at least re-​do the floor, get someone to power-​wash the stone, and maybe paint the walls before they open the new Target. I mean if i didn’t have to use this station every day for work, I certainly would be put off by this station and probably never go to any place surrounding it.
Yes, Lawrence is a tad bit better, but they have problems too. I say renovation is looong over due for this station. Stay away if you can. If not, just do what I do and stare at the ground to avoid eye contact with anyone and hold your nose :)

Wow, people are really whiny! Yes, this stop is sub-​par compared to other stops in the city. But this a big city, bums are going to ask you for cigarettes or money sometimes. Yes, one time a guy showed a buddy of mine his gun on the platform (handgun, people! get your minds out of the gutter), but no harm no foul. I guess I wouldn’t really be happy about my girlfriend wandering around this area by herself at night, but then again, she’s not retarded and therefore wouldn’t do it.
Try this, get off here, walk across Broadway and get a slice of pizza from Gigio’s. Then walk north on Broadway to get a drink at either the Green Mill or Uptown Lounge. If this is too «gross» or «scary» for you, perhaps rethink your intentions about experiencing life in a big city.

People keep on dissin’ my stop! Okay, seriously, it is pretty gross… it does smell like pee, and chances are good (late at night) that you’ll get mugged… but more often than not, you have to go through little hells like this to find a little piece of heaven. Or, um, really cheap produce grocers, and fraking great ribs!
Yeah, get over the smell and ignore the crackheads, you can do it… and then check out one of the spots on my Uptown list, most of which are are going to be «locals only», because no one else takes the first step towards finding them!

Remember that article the Tribune wrote about sexual harassment at CTA stations? Well, I ALWAYS get harassed here. albeit, outside (mostly). I guess the authorities can’t do much then.
The quickest route home from north Chicago is switching from the Red Line to a bus outside Wilson. I used to do this.
No longer. Instead, I take the train all the way down to Belmont and switch. That’s how much I dislike being at and outside Wilson CTA.
Being a petite, Asian girl, it’s easy to become prey to anyone who walks or drives by me. At Wilson, I hear unwanted calls and whistles each and every damn time.
I would never, ever venture outside Wilson CTA at night to wait for a bus. It does not feel safe for women.
Aside from sexual harassment taken place here (and outside), this train reeks of human urine. Whew! It’s very evident on the platform where people have done their business. It’s not as bad as New York train stations, but pretty close.
Wilson CTA is in need of serious renovation, but also … security presence.
PS: This station is right above a Popeyes, so I hope you enjoy the strong smell of dead birds fried in oil. Gross!

Finally, a reason to give something a 1 star rating.
This stop is horrid, yes. It smells like pee, etc. We all know this. Don’t stop here unless you HAVE to. Even if you have to, stop at another station and walk the extra 20 minutes.
I don’t think there is much the CTA can do at this point. It’s a neighborhood thing. Maybe more lights… better amenities… more security? I dunno.
What I do know, I’m tired of being harassed at this stop. I’m tired of being asked for money at this stop.
Actually, I was specifically told by a miscreant how much more money he needed and what he needed it for. «Man, I need 15 cent to get me a forty.» I sincerely apologized. I never carry any cash. I am going to make sure I have a quarter in my pocket if I ever get off at this stop again.

Congrats Wilson stop on being crowned the «crust station» of the CTA. Out of eight lines and a whopping 144 stations, you are the worst!
The smell of urine wafts through many of the red line stations and actual train cars themselves. Your one saving grace is that the station is above ground and has the breeze from the lake to blow the stank of pee away.