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The beginning of what was supposed to be an initiative aimed at revitalizing the area surrounding the Argyle Street CTA Red Line station has been met with resounding jeers.
A new "Asia on Argyle" sign was unveiled late last week at the station as part of that initiative and has drawn the ire of many area residents, particularly in various online forums including EveryBlock, Uptown Update and the 48th Ward's Facebook page.
According to NBC Chicago, almost 100 people have gone so far as to file complaints with the city over the sign, which some individuals have called "objectively ugly," "garish," a "waste of money" and an "eyesore."
In response to the criticism, Wally Rozak, an administrator of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, told DNAinfo Chicago that the sign "will look better when it's lit" and joined by a streetscape and other design features in development along the Argyle strip as part of the broader initiative.
Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) also took on critics of the sign on the ward's Facebook page and noted that his predecessor took part in a community process that helped inform the Chicago Department of Transportation's design.
"This is not the final product. Decorative pavers will be installed under the viaduct, more color will be added to the columns and it will be illuminated at night," Osterman wrote.