by doepack
Daily Herald
City to rebuild Metra station
By Justin Kmitch
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Saturday, July 22, 2006
Now that it appears plans to rebuild and relocate Wood Dale's Metra
station to the east - something long sought by several aldermen - are
delayed if not dead, they've decided to do the next best thing.
Aldermen Thursday agreed that rather than wait an estimated 30 years
to get funds needed from Metra to move east, city officials would just knock
the current one down and start over.
Last year, the city council approved plans for a renovated train depot
with a new roof and facade, a washroom and an interior design that would
include a coffee shop.
But those plans were derailed when the city's staff recently learned
the cost of renovating the station could exceed that of tearing it down and
rebuilding.
"Staff now is recommending that we knock down the current walls, put
up new brick, keep the floor and foundation and build a totally new station
around it," City Manager Frank Williams said. "Everything in there would be
new: new walls, new doors, new windows, new everything.
"This would be a unique building in the center of our community," he
continued. "This would be different from any other train station."
In recent months, the council has secured about $350,000 from home
builders working in the city to help fund the improvements to the station
the city leases from Metra for $10 a year.
Williams and City Services Director Gary Holm said the project could
likely be done for $350,000 but added any additional costs could be paid
through the local tourism fund.
First Ward Alderman Marshall Subach said the city should be prepared
to spend more than the $350,000 to ensure the quality and unique design of a
new depot.
"I want to get this project done more than anyone else, and I always
thought it would be just as cheap to tear it down," he said. "The first
station lasted 30 years so if we are going to tear this one down, we should
be prepared to spend the necessary amount to make sure the next one lasts at
least 30 years."
Holm agreed.
"The existing station is ugly, and no one wants to rebuild an ugly
station," he said.
City staff members are meeting next week with architects and with
Metra and hope to have in-depth designs for aldermen to review in coming
weeks.
City to rebuild Metra station
By Justin Kmitch
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Saturday, July 22, 2006
Now that it appears plans to rebuild and relocate Wood Dale's Metra
station to the east - something long sought by several aldermen - are
delayed if not dead, they've decided to do the next best thing.
Aldermen Thursday agreed that rather than wait an estimated 30 years
to get funds needed from Metra to move east, city officials would just knock
the current one down and start over.
Last year, the city council approved plans for a renovated train depot
with a new roof and facade, a washroom and an interior design that would
include a coffee shop.
But those plans were derailed when the city's staff recently learned
the cost of renovating the station could exceed that of tearing it down and
rebuilding.
"Staff now is recommending that we knock down the current walls, put
up new brick, keep the floor and foundation and build a totally new station
around it," City Manager Frank Williams said. "Everything in there would be
new: new walls, new doors, new windows, new everything.
"This would be a unique building in the center of our community," he
continued. "This would be different from any other train station."
In recent months, the council has secured about $350,000 from home
builders working in the city to help fund the improvements to the station
the city leases from Metra for $10 a year.
Williams and City Services Director Gary Holm said the project could
likely be done for $350,000 but added any additional costs could be paid
through the local tourism fund.
First Ward Alderman Marshall Subach said the city should be prepared
to spend more than the $350,000 to ensure the quality and unique design of a
new depot.
"I want to get this project done more than anyone else, and I always
thought it would be just as cheap to tear it down," he said. "The first
station lasted 30 years so if we are going to tear this one down, we should
be prepared to spend the necessary amount to make sure the next one lasts at
least 30 years."
Holm agreed.
"The existing station is ugly, and no one wants to rebuild an ugly
station," he said.
City staff members are meeting next week with architects and with
Metra and hope to have in-depth designs for aldermen to review in coming
weeks.
--Dorian--
