The City’s acquisition of a .5-acre property at 623 W. 79th St. will enable construction of a new Metra station serving Auburn Gresham through a plan approved today by City Council.

The plan will authorize the City to acquire the property, which is currently occupied by a vacant privately-owned industrial building.

The site will eventually be combined with an adjacent parcel already owned by the City to create an entry plaza and parking area west of the Metra tracks. The improvements will be part of a $21.5 million station being planned along Metra’s Rock Island District line. The two-platform station will include warming shelters, elevators, and other passenger amenities.

A purchase price for the property has yet to be determined. Construction could start in early 2016.

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