García spearheading revived effort to bring new police station to SW Side

Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García speaks
Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, D-Ill., speaks to reporters on the House steps outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Photo credit Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - There’s a renewed push to turn an abandoned armory on Chicago’s Southwest Side into a police station.

The Midway Armory at 63rd and Long has sat vacant for several years. State officials have agreed to sell the building to the City of Chicago for just $1 in hopes that it would become a new police station in a part of the city with the fewest officers per capita.

Those plans have hit a roadblock, with Mayor Johnson aiming to use the National Guard building for storage and aviation-related operations.

U.S. Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García is now making his stance clear through a new statement.

“I have heard from my neighbors, constituents, business owners, and local elected officials in the area who call for the expansion of more public safety services including a potential police station to serve the greater regional need.”

A rally in support of the project is set for this week.

Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Featured Image Photo Credit: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images