The famous “rat hole” on a sidewalk in Chicago’s North Side neighborhood of Roscoe Village has been removed by city officials due to damage. The imprint on the sidewalk, resembling a rat with claws and a tail, had become a source of frustration for residents due to the increased attention it received after a photo was shared on social media. Some neighbors argued that the imprint was actually caused by a squirrel. The section of sidewalk containing the rat hole has been placed in temporary storage, with plans for its eventual placement to be decided in collaboration with city departments and the mayor’s office.
The Department of Transportation crews removed the rat hole section, along with other damaged portions of sidewalk along Roscoe Street, and replaced them with new concrete on Wednesday. Complaints had been received by Alderman Scott Waguespack’s office regarding the uneven sidewalk and the gathering of people to view and photograph the rat hole. The removal process involved the use of a concrete saw, forklift, and truck to transport the slab away. Despite the efforts to fill in the rat hole with a plaster-like material in January, fans quickly dug it out and the attention surrounding the sidewalk landmark persisted.
The decision to remove the rat hole was based on a combination of concerns about the sidewalk being uneven and the disturbances caused by people congregating to view the imprint. Residents reported noise disturbances and other issues related to the attraction of visitors to the site. The attention on the rat hole had heightened since a photo was shared by a Chicago comedian, leading to an influx of visitors who sometimes left coins and other items scattered on the sidewalk. The removal of the damaged sidewalk sections was deemed necessary by the Department of Transportation to address safety and accessibility concerns.
The removal of the rat hole has sparked mixed reactions among residents, some of whom were fond of the quirky sidewalk landmark while others viewed it as a nuisance. The sidewalk imprint, which had become a local landmark over the years, had gained fresh fame in January, drawing attention from both residents and visitors. The decision to replace the damaged sections of sidewalk was made in response to complaints from neighbors and concerns about safety and accessibility issues. The city officials involved in the removal process are now considering the future placement of the slab containing the rat hole imprint.
The removal of the rat hole has brought an end to the era of the quirky sidewalk landmark that had been a source of fascination and frustration for residents. The imprint, which some residents believed was caused by a squirrel rather than a rat, had become a local curiosity that attracted visitors to the area. The decision to remove the damaged sidewalk sections was made to address safety concerns and disruptions caused by people gathering to view the imprint. While the removal may have disappointed some residents who were fond of the rat hole, it has also brought relief to those who had been bothered by the increased attention and disturbances in the neighborhood.
Overall, the removal of the rat hole represents the end of an era for a quirky Chicago sidewalk landmark that had garnered attention and controversy in equal measure. The decision to replace the damaged sections of sidewalk was made in response to safety concerns and complaints from residents about disturbances caused by visitors congregating to view the imprint. The temporary storage of the rat hole section, pending a collaborative decision on its placement, reflects the city’s efforts to address both the fascination and frustration surrounding the sidewalk landmark. While the removal may have disappointed some residents, it has ultimately resolved the ongoing issues and concerns related to the damaged sidewalk sections and the attraction of visitors to the area.
