A Chicago sidewalk landmark known as the “rat hole” in the North Side neighborhood of Roscoe Village has been removed by city officials due to damage that required its replacement. The imprint shaped like a rat, which had gained fame on social media, was actually believed to be caused by a squirrel. The section of sidewalk was removed and placed in temporary storage by the Chicago Department of Transportation. The decision on where the slab will eventually end up is expected to be a collaborative one between city departments and the mayor’s office.
The “rat hole” section of sidewalk, as well as other portions along Roscoe Street, were removed by Department of Transportation crews after an inspection revealed damage that necessitated replacement. Neighbor Georgina Ulrich captured video of the crews using a concrete saw, forklift, and truck to remove the slab. New concrete was poured later in the day to replace the removed section. The removal of the rat hole came after complaints were received from neighbors about people gathering at all hours, leaving coins and other objects scattered across the sidewalk.
Complaints had been filed with Alderman Scott Waguespack’s office regarding the unevenness of the sidewalk and the congregation of people who came to see and photograph the rat hole. The combination of noise and other disturbances created by visitors prompted the decision to remove the damaged section of sidewalk. In January, an attempt was made to fill in the rat hole with white plaster, but fans quickly dug it out. The imprint had been a part of the neighborhood for nearly two decades, attracting fascination from residents and visitors alike.
Erica Schroeder, a spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Transportation, stated that the decision to remove the rat hole and other damaged sections of sidewalk was made after an inspection revealed the need for replacement. The city’s crews used various tools and equipment to remove the section of sidewalk before placing it in temporary storage. The fate of the infamous rat hole will be determined through a collaborative effort between different city departments and the mayor’s office. The removal of the rat hole aims to address the issues caused by people gathering at the site and creating disturbances in the neighborhood.
Despite being an iconic landmark in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Chicago, the rat hole was eventually removed due to damage that required the replacement of the section of sidewalk. Complaints about visitors causing disturbances in the area prompted the decision to remove the damaged portion. The attention garnered by the rat hole led to its fame on social media, with visitors leaving coins and other objects on the sidewalk. The removal process involved the use of heavy machinery to extract the slab before pouring new concrete in its place.
Alderman Waguespack’s office received numerous complaints about the uneven sidewalk and the congregation of people at the rat hole, leading to the decision to remove it. The imprint, which resembled a rat but was believed to be created by a squirrel, had been a source of fascination for nearly two decades. The removal of the infamous rat hole is part of efforts to address the issues caused by visitors gathering at the site. The fate of the rat hole section will be decided through collaboration between city departments and the mayor’s office, with a new section of sidewalk replacing the removed slab later the same day.
