The Homewood Village Board has approved a contract to rehabilitate the village’s rail observation platform near the Metra station at the Jan. 27 meeting.
According to Homewood Director of Public Works Joshua Burman, the work is expected to improve safety and enhance the surrounding downtown area.
The board approved a proposal from BEAR Construction Company of Rolling Meadows to complete renovations to the Homewood Rail Fan Platform along Harwood Avenue. The cost of the project will not exceed $64,456, Burman said.
The elevated platform, which opened in 2007, was designed as a train-watching site offering views of Canadian National freight trains and Metra Electric District tracks. The platform is fully accessible and provides a safe, family-friendly location, he said.
During recent renovations at the Metra station, it was identified that the rail fan platform was in need of repairs and safety upgrades. Planned improvements include concrete restoration and painting, in addition to pressure washing and lighting upgrades, Burman said.
The project will be completed through a Job Order Contracting process, which allows municipalities to expedite smaller construction and maintenance projects by working with prequalified contractors. Since the village has experience working with Gordian, a firm that administers the Job Ordering Contracting program, to solicit proposals, the village waived competitive bidding for the project, Burman said.
The budget for the project was originally $45,000, but it was later determined that the needed repairs were larger than anticipated. In December, the board approved a budget amendment giving an additional $21,000, bringing the total approved budget to $76,000. The project will be funded through 2024 general obligation bond, he said.
According to Burman, construction is expected to begin in late winter or early spring this year. Following completion of the improvements, the village’s Landscape and Maintenance Division plans to overhaul the site with new native plants and trees.
