Morton Grove public bodies have a wide range of public and private projects planned for 2024, including opening a new Metra commuter station and $800,000 in improvements to Oketo Park.
“We have a lot going on,” Village Administrator Ralph Czerwinski said. “2023 was very busy getting it ready. 2024 is going to be vertical construction.”
Among the public projects expected in 2024 in Morton Grove, Czerwinski said, are:
Improving the grassy knoll at the south end of Lincoln and Ferris Avenues at Gateway Plaza with pedestrian amenities, including native plants, benches and dedication bricks purchased by residents.
Replacement of the Metra station, which is currently undergoing full plan review before seeking bids in the first quarter and finishing construction by the end of 2024.
Working with the Cook County Forest Preserve District to clean up a parcel across the street from the train station, including adding native plants and “cutting it back from the sidewalk so it lends itself to a pedestrian-friendly environment.”
Continuing to develop design concepts for the new village hall and police department complex at 6201 W. Dempster St.
Enhancing the village building at 8300 Lehigh Ave. for public safety training and public works storage. “It has been used for both, but we’re going to make some enhancements,” Czerwinski said. “Some of the things that don’t fit at the new complex will be put there.”
Completion of all Pace Suburban Bus Pulse stations.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation replacing the Oakton Street bridge across the Edens Expressway, allowing the next two phases of a multi-use pedestrian path opened last year to connect to woods nearby.
Continuing to replace water lines by identifying which ones are made of lead and which are not.
Private projects expected in 2024 in Morton Grove, Czerwinski said, include:
Construction of four to six new homes in the Ponto Collection at 9312 Shermer Road.
Napleton Honda opening a new dealership at Dempster and Waukegan Road.
Attracting the final retailer to Sawmill Station.
The opening of Joe Donut and an associated restaurant at Dempster and Birch Avenue.
A remodeled Dunkin shop opening at 5843 Dempster.
The construction of 10 townhomes at Park Villas at Ferris and Hennings Court and a new duplex down Hennings at Narragansett Court.
Completion of a four-story mixed use project at 8500-8550 Lehigh with three restaurants, including a craft brewery, on the first floor and 36 residential units on the other three floors.
Demolition of a vacant factory at 8350 Lehigh and site preparation there for the 89 townhomes of Metro on Main.
Meanwhile, Morton Grove Park District is planning at least three major projects in 2024, according to Jeff Wait, executive director:
$800,000 in improvements will be bid for Oketo Park, thanks to a $400,000 state grant the Park District will match. Work will include a new playground, resurfacing and painting the basketball court, modifying a sidewalk to improve flooding, redoing the baseball field to improve drainage and playability, and adding shade structures and more trees.
Evaluating and increasing programming by looking outside the Park District for additional facilities due to its limited space, including working with local schools, as was the practice before the COVID pandemic.
Restarting an initiative to form a Park District foundation, another project that began before the pandemic but was put on hold. The foundation would help raise funding, including offering park program scholarships to families in need.