Refresh finally coming to Hubbard Woods Metra station

Winnetka officials are all aboard for a needed refresh to an 80-year-old property in the heart of the village’s key business district.

Village trustees during their Tuesday, July 15 meeting unanimously approved plans submitted by Metra to renovate the existing Hubbard Woods train depot and platform.

Metra, which leases the site at 1065 Gage St. from Union Pacific, intends to conduct a series of improvements as well as build several external updates on the property.

The main priority of Metra’s plans, according to village documents, is to make the station, including spaces of the station building, its entrances and pathways to platforms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The now-approved external improvements at the site include the replacement of the existing pedestrian bridge over the tracks, the addition of ADA ramps on both the east and west side for access to the new pedestrian bridge, and the addition of two elevators.

Additionally, project developers will also replace staircases from the pedestrian bridge to the train platform level, replace platforms, add track-level warming stations, replace the staircases from Scott Avenue to the platform, and add landscape screens on the west end of Hubbard Place to screen the pedestrian bridge and proposed ADA ramp, per plans submitted to the village.

Representatives from Metra told trustees that the existing windbreak shelters would also be removed, restored and reinstalled.

Project plans also call for what village officials describe as a “slight relocation” of the Green Bay Trail to the east. That relocation is included in plans to provide proper clearance around the proposed east elevator tower and new warming shelters.

Metra representatives also confirmed during the July 15 meeting that the transit agency also plans to update the two restrooms inside the building to meet ADA accessibility standards as well.

Interior updates within the building will also include relocating and enlarging the existing janitor closet, repairs to the existing doors and windows, upgraded mechanical and plumbing and other changes.

The ticket booth space located inside will remain, officials confirmed during the meeting, but there is a possibility that space could turn into something more.

Village Manager Rob Bahan said the village will be renewing its leases for both train stations in town and, as part of that process, officials will be working on the buildout for a potential vendor to be located in the ticket booth space.

Metra representatives told trustees that they’re expecting a 12-month timeline for completion of the renovations. The project required review by the State Historic Preservation Office, and Metra will need to take a few additional steps with both the office and Union Pacific before work can begin.

Trustees expressed their appreciation that the project, which has been discussed and considered for more than a decade, is now moving forward.

“This is one of those projects with an extremely long horizon,” Bahan said. “Literally, my first month on the job, this was a project that we had a special meeting on to try and move forward. Originally it was a funding problem and then it became working through (Union Pacific). So, it’s great to see this come about but it’s been a long time.”

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