Community Corner

Oak Forest, Metra Officials Cut Ribbon on New Station

The new $3.4-million station includes a warming shelter and indoor and outdoor seating areas.

By Mary Compton

It was a gift Oak Forest eagerly waited for. Wrapped up in a
yellow ribbon cutting, the new Oak Forest Metra station was dedicated Friday.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Oak Forest Mayor Hank Kuspa told the crowd. “Thank you for everyone who assisted in making this dream come true.”

Oak Forest community members along with city and Metra officials, applauded the words of the speakers, as well as the future development the new $3.4-million station at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue will bring.

READ: Oak Forest Plans for $3 Million Metra Station

The station has a homelike feel to it, featuring historical photographs and
mementos. It also includes a warming shelter; bike parking and lockers; restrooms facilities; and indoor and outdoor seated waiting areas. Landscaping around the train station will be completed in the spring.

Ed Paesel, director of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers
Association, gave credit to a woman who worked hard to get the new Oak Forest station, former State Sen. Maggie Crotty.

“Maggie Crotty led this effort,” Paesel said. "It was her vision. This is an example of federal and local government working together to make it happen.”

Crotty, who toured the new station with her 6-year-old grandson, Peyton,
talked about her experiences using the former station.

READ: City to Break Ground on New Metra Station Thursday

“It’s so nice to see this come to Oak Forest” Crotty said. “When I had
meetings downtown, I would pass other train stations, like Midlothian
and Beverly, thinking they had such pretty train stations. It made such an
impact in the area surrounding them.

“The train station in Oak Forest was old and didn’t have the feel of the
community of Oak Forest. … Now this does."

YOUR TURN: What do you think about the new Metra station? Share your thoughts in the comments section.


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