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CHICAGO (WGN) — The Uptown Broadway Building is an old property with a new problem.
In recent weeks, during periods of heavy rain, water flooded the historic building’s stairwell and basement, where Al Capone once reportedly ran a speakeasy.
Nowadays, the building’s lower level is home to the Baton Show Lounge.
Founded in 1969, the venue is known for its “female impersonation” and drag shows, according to its social media accounts.
“In the last two weeks, we’ve had three major rain events and every time there’s literally a deluge of water coming into the property,” said Aaron Stanton, an attorney for the building’s owner.
Built in 1926, the three-story property, known for its terra-cotta façade, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In a building that old, there are bound to be secrets and surprises.
But Stanton said the cause of the flooding is not one of them.
Located in the 4700 block of North Broadway, the building sits along to the CTA’s Red Line tracks and is just south of the Lawrence Avenue Station.
The station recently reopened after a lengthy renovation, part of the transit agency’s massive modernization project that included upgrades such as wider platforms and overhead canopies.
It also added new drainage systems. But “at least two” drains are not tied into the sewer system and are allegedly dumping water behind the building.
When WGN Investigates visited the property, the lounge’s carpeting was still wet and there was water damage visible in the bathrooms, stairwell and more.
Stanton said the lounge has had to close or limit its hours to deal with the damage.
The question is now: Is it worth it to repair it if the drains aren’t fixed?
“Otherwise, any repair job will have to be repaired again,” said Stanton, a partner at Chicago law firm Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella PC. He represents the building’s owner but is not involved in discussions with the CTA or its contactors in this matter.
WGN Investigates asked the CTA for comment. But the transit agency didn’t respond to numerous requests.
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Lourdes Duarte
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