Threat Removed From Funding For Homewood Train Station: Officials

HOMEWOOD, IL — The funding for Homewood's train station renovations no longer is under threat, officials said. The thanks comes in part to residents of Homewood.

The money from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning 's Surface Transportation Program Shared Fund Program had been at risk after the City of Chicago asked for changes to the way the money is allotted, village officials reported last month. At the time, they asked residents to write letters of support for the project and to send them to the agency.

According to village leaders, CMAP received about 485 comments for all of the projects with funding in jeopardy —450 of them pertained to Homewood Train Station Renovation Project.

As a result, CMAP did not change the funding formula. The project has now been recommended for full funding, and a vote to confirm that will be held Thursday, Oct. 10.

The proposed renovations include the reconstruction of the east and west entrances, installation of new stairs and ADA-compliant ramps, new stairs leading to the Amtrak platform, reconstruction of the Amtrak platform and canopy, installation of water seepage barriers and a drainage system in the tunnel;, new tunnel walls, ceiling and lighting and the reconfiguration of parking on the Park Avenue side of the station, according to a news release.