La Grange to Install Metra Station Security Cameras

The La Grange Village Board on Monday approved a contract with Naperville-based Closed Circuit Innovations for the purchase and installation of security cameras at the La Grange Road and Stone Avenue Metra stations. 

The village, which will use a grant from the West Suburban Mass Transit District (WSMTD) to fund the project, approved a staff recommendation to waive the formal bid process and enter into the $38,180 contract with the firm.

In 2012, the WSMTD approved a $136,028 grant to implement improvements around the Stone Avenue station in La Grange, including $15,000 allocated for security cameras.

In May, the WSMTD approved an increase for the village, allocating $40,000 of the grant for security camera systems at both La Grange stations to allow for upgrades at the La Grange Road station, according to a village staff memo.

La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub designed a security system that includes installation of 11 high-definition cameras and the equipment necessary to view and record activity at the two stations from the police department, according to the memo.

The village will install three exterior cameras and one interior camera at the Stone Avenue Station and five exterior cameras and two interior cameras at the La Grange Road station. 

The board in September approved a bid from Boller Construction Co. for a $1.1 million project to replace the roof, gutters and downspouts at the Stone Avenue train station, the Doings La Grange reported. 

Here's a little history about the Stone Avenue station,written by Laurie Kapugi:

In 1901, David Lyman built Stone Avenue Station at its current location—the consturction cost $10,375 at the time. It was designed by the engineering staff of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Rail Road—they gained inspiration from the Kenilworth Depot, which had been erected over a decade earlier. The building still stands today at Kenilworth Avenue between Green Bay Road and Richmond Road.

Stone Avenue Station was built from limestone that came from a local quarry just miles from the station. The Kenilworth Depot had two massive stone arches, and in an attempt to outdo the building that was the inspiration, the arches were doubled to four, giving it a symmetrical composition. Originally, the station had an elaborate sign jutting from the building, which mimicked the Kenilworth building. Eventually the sign was taken down, but the Kenilworth sign is still part of the Kenilworth Depot.

Our train station might not have a coffee shop in it and be new and modern, but more than 100 years later, it still stands and provides charm to our village and was designated a village landmark in 1971.