A section of sidewalk in Chicago’s North Side neighborhood of Roscoe Village known affectionately as the “rat hole” was removed after city officials determined it was damaged and needed to be replaced. The imprint in the sidewalk, which resembled a rat with claws and a tail, had been a quirky landmark for years but gained fresh fame in January after a photo was shared on social media. However, neighbors soon grew tired of the attention and visitors leaving coins and other items scattered across the sidewalk.
Erica Schroeder, a spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Transportation, stated that the section of sidewalk containing the famous rat hole is now in temporary storage. The ultimate decision on where the slab of sidewalk will end up will be a collaborative effort between city departments and the mayor’s office. The rat hole section, along with other damaged portions of sidewalk along Roscoe Street, were removed by city crews after an inspection determined that they needed to be replaced due to damage.
Some neighbors, including Georgina Ulrich who captured video of the sidewalk removal, were surprised at the level of attention and effort placed on removing the rat hole. The sidewalk imprint had previously been filled in with a material resembling white plaster, but fans quickly dug out the impression. The alderman’s office had received complaints about the uneven sidewalk and people gathering to look at and photograph the rat hole. It was a combination of safety concerns due to the uneven sidewalk and disturbances caused by visitors congregating in the area.
Alderman Scott Waguespack’s office received complaints for several months about the sidewalk being uneven and people congregating to view the rat hole. The removal of the damaged sidewalk section was in response to both safety concerns and complaints from neighbors about people gathering and leaving objects in the public way. The new concrete was poured in place of the removed sidewalk section, closing the chapter on the famous rat hole that had been a part of the neighborhood for nearly two decades.
While the rat hole may have been a quirky landmark for the neighborhood, it had become a source of disturbance and safety concerns for residents. The removal of the damaged sidewalk section was a joint effort between city departments and the mayor’s office to address the issues raised by neighbors. The unexpected fame and attention brought to the rat hole through social media ultimately led to its removal, ending its reign as a unique but problematic landmark in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Chicago.
