(The following story by Linda Girardi appeared on the Beacon News website on March 27.)
ELBURN, Ill. — Although it was a long time coming, the new Metra train station here was formally dedicated Monday.
“There’s so much potential,” Elburn Mayor Jim Willey said.
After years of working through the logistics, Metra in January 2006 extended its commuter service 81⁄2 miles from Geneva west to Elburn on the Union Pacific West line, something that had not been done since the late 1950s. Metra also added a stop in LaFox.
For months, local officials worked with Metra to design a station that was tailor-made for Elburn and more than just a warming house.
The mayor credited his late wife, Cathy, an ardent supporter of the extension, for selecting everything from the color of brick, shingles and tile samples to making it a comfortable and attractive facility for commuters.
The ADA-accessible 700-square-foot brick prairie-style station has a spatial feel and windows bringing in natural light, bench seating and canopy waiting areas. The 600-foot long platform can accommodate eight coach cars and has such amenities as audio and visual information to assist commuters. The 300-space commuter parking lot has landscaping, seating, bicycle rack, and a “kiss-and-ride” facility.
The mayor said the return of commuter rail service has increased Elburn’s community profile and helped preserve wetlands. Beyond that, it is the first step in the village’s goal of creating a transit-oriented development designed to give people reason to leave their cars at home and walk to the station.
“Many communities must tear down existing structures in order to build around a train station — this is a blank slate,” the mayor said.
Willey said he believes the development surrounding the train station will foster a sense of place and increase the quality of life for residents, as well as preserve open space for future generations.
Fifty dignitaries, including Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay; former state Treasurer Judy Barr Topinka, a member of the RTA Board; and Metra Executive Director Philip Pagano attended Monday’s dedication ceremony.
“Public transit, while we take it for granted, is an important component to meeting the demands of transportation,” McConnaughay said. “Kane County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country and our transportation challenges are fairly substantial, as evidence by the number of people using this train station in the short period of time.”