Metra Parking Update

Metra is starting to improve the parking lot on the NE corner of the train lots which will add quite a few parking spaces later this year. Unfortunately this is a Metra project on Metra land so we are at the mercy of the schedules and contractors chosen by Metra. We also will be losing parking spaces during the duration of the project so bear with us.

Here is a rough schedule we have been provided with:

September 10: Start date: Install tree protection, erosion barrier, and begin tree/brush removal
September 12: Begin site demolition to include asbestos, underground storage tank, buildings, fence, sidewalk and curbs
September 25: Begin storm sewer layout and installation
October 6 – November 7: Site grading and construction of curbs, walks, landscaping wall, etc. November 12: Begin paving operations
November 21-25: Install fencing
November 26: Painting
March 2: Landscaping

METRA-- The Way You Really Tag!

For the last 4 weeks METRA has thoughtfully parked a series of freight cars in our station siding. The best part of this enhanced portion of Metra's service is the colorful artwork on the box cars commonly known as gang graffiti!

In an attempt to remove the cars and or paint over the cars I called the Director of Metra, 4 times, and our administrator called him and others repeatedly and were either ignored or told "the guy" in charge of that was out. Like "the guy" in charge of the location of box cars and trains for Metra is a one man department and is gone on vacation for a month.

So after trying to do things the right way I directed our Public Works staff to paint over the graffiti. This is what we would do to any business who left graffiti up after ignoring us like this.

I am sending a letter expressing my disappointment to Metra, and a bill for public works time and expenses.

The area police departments have worked very hard to minimize gang graffiti throughout the Round Lake area. If you have noticed, there have been very few outbreaks, if any, in the area this year (knock on wood).

I realize that Metra is not the one tagging the trains, but to put these cars here for so long with out any regard for the process or the way it looks in a community is so unfortunate. At a time when Metra needs to consolidate the good will of municipalities and elected officials across the region this shows them as unresponsive.