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Metra & the Hyde Park-Kenwood CommunityA
service of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Transit and Parking
Committee and the HPKCC website, www.hydepark.org |
A Little History from the Conference Reporter, July-August 2000 (la meme choses..)
For some
years now, Metra--stations and embankments--have serious concerns for the Hyde
Park-Kenwood Community Conference.
As early as 1987, Conference committees, including LILAC, have worked successfully
for improvements to Metra's embankments and the reconstruction of retaining
walls.
In 1994, Metra approached the local aldermen for community input on plans to
make Hyde Park stations ADA accessible. As a result of this request, the aldermen
established a Metra Improvement Committee.
Since the beginning, HPKCC Board Member Jane Comiskey...sat on the committee
as it reviewed readership and design studies and sought funding for the complete
remake of all four stations within its boundaries.
A
Major Question
A major question
at the time was: "Which station or stations should be principle gateway
stops that would have elevators and a full set of amenities.
Action was long delayed. In March 1999, Alderwomen Holt and Preckwinkle did
hold a meeting on May 20 at the Lutheran School of Theology. Strong concern
was expressed by those in attendance about parking, accessibility, safety, cleanliness,
and upkeep.
Parking concerns were fueled, in part, by a change in lead stations from 59th
St. to the 55th-57th St., stations. Since then, these concerns have been reinforced
by HPKCC through repeated resolutions and correspondence.
Although plans and timetables were refined in subsequent meetings, there were
long stretches when the Conference and many others in the community were disappointed
with Metra's lack of communication with the public.
The Improvement Committee and the public were successful, however, in having
Metra plans include community-based art embankment beautification, a full set
of infrastructure upgrades, elevators where the community wants them, directional
informational signage, and appropriate commercial space.
Current
Plans
Full funding for
a $12 million project to rehabilitate the three northern stations simultaneously
has finally been assembled. Work will begin after an early August ground breaking.
The 59th St. station will be considered for improvement after the other stations
have been finished. The university hopes to obtain funding for the enhancement
of this gateway station and viaduct.
LILAC... received an $8000 grant from the University of Chicago for embankment
replanting after th stations have been finished.
Future
Requests
According to the Transit Task-force, Metra owes the community much more--more
frequent service, transfer rights with CTA and PACE, and rebuilt and new/reopened
accessible stations over the entire Metra Electric District, and the level of
maintenance and security the community deserves.
An
Interesting Proposal
One proposal that
has been receiving serious consideration in planning circles is represented
by the Gray Line idea discussed last year in this publication. That idea would
bring CTA into the city portion of Metra' Electric District service through
a lease-back agreement.
More
Information?
For more information
about the Transit Task Force, or to become a member of it, call [James
Withrow, chairman, 773/320-5926,] on e-mail
HPKCC .