The “rat hole” has disappeared.
A Chicago sidewalk landmark that some residents affectionately referred to as the “rat hole” was destroyed Wednesday after city officials determined that the area with animal footprints was damaged and needed to be replaced. Officials announced that it had been removed.
The trail has been an oddity for years in a residential neighborhood in Roscoe Village, Chicago’s North Side neighborhood, but gained new fame in January when a Chicago comedian shared a photo on social platform X. .
But the neighbors’ caution quickly got old, complaining about visitors around the clock, and sometimes leaving coins and other items strewn on the sidewalk.
Moreover, many neighbors claim that the marks were actually caused by squirrels.
Erica Schroeder, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Transportation, said the sidewalk plaza “home to the famous ‘Chicago Rat Hole'” is currently in temporary storage.
She said where the sidewalk slab, which bears the impression of the outline of a rat, all claws and tail, ends up is expected to be a “joint decision between city departments and the mayor’s office.” Stated.
Schroeder said the rat holes and other sections of the sidewalk along Roscoe Street were removed by Department of Transportation officials Wednesday morning after the department inspected them and determined they were damaged and needed to be replaced. Stated.
Neighbor Georgina Ulrich captured video of workers using concrete saws, forklifts and eventually trucks to remove and drive away the slabs.
“This is all because of the rat tracks,” Ulrich said in one of the clips.
Schroeder said new concrete was poured late Wednesday.
“The alderman’s office definitely receives complaints from neighbors about people congregating and putting a lot of different things in public spaces,” she told The Associated Press.
Councilman Scott Wagspack’s office has received complaints for months about how uneven that section of the sidewalk is and that people are gathering there to observe and take pictures of rat holes. Wagspack chief of staff Paul Sajovec said on Wednesday.
“It was just a combination of the uneven sidewalks and the fact that people were showing up at different times of the day and night and making a lot of noise and causing other issues and issues,” he said.
someone in january filled the rat hole The Chicago Tribune reported at the time that a material resembling white plaster was used, an impression that was quickly dug up by fans.
Chicago resident Winslow Dumaine told the newspaper that people who live nearby say the tracks have been there for nearly 20 years.
