Partial Wall Collapse At Aragon Ballroom Interrupts CTA Service

CHICAGO — A parapet wall of the Aragon Ballroom partially collapsed in Uptown Tuesday morning, temporarily suspending service on the CTA purple line. No injuries were reported.

The partial collapse was reported at 7:45 a.m. at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. The Chicago Fire Department said in a tweet that the west roof parapet collapsed from heavy snow buildup. Crews are on the scene inspected the concrete. CTA trains are “single tracking” for safety, fire officials said.

Purple line service stopped at 8 a.m. at the Lawrence CTA station when the Chicago Fire Department requested power to be shut off, news reports said.

The tracks were not hit by bricks, and red line service was not affected.

Ald. James Cappleman (46th) sent out a Tweet showing a pile of bricks in the alley and on the Aragon's fire escape stairs. Lawrence Avenue was closed between Broadway and Winthrop.

Cappleman told Patch he was waiting for a call back from the city.

"I think it's too early to assess the extent of the damages, but it's the west wall toward north," the alderman said. "Probably three feet of bricks fell from the top due to heavy snow."

The Aragon Ballroom opened in 1926.