Gateway Plaza green space opens to complement Morton Grove Metra station redevelopment

A day after officials held the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $4 million Metra rail station in Morton Grove, an unveiling was held for nearby green space that will complement the depot redevelopment.

Over 50 people gathered Oct. 24 at Gateway Plaza, a new green space located south of Lincoln Avenue at Ferris Avenue, for a ribbon cutting where Trustee Janine Witko delivered the opening remarks.

Work had begun the week of Aug. 12 on the $250,000 Gateway Plaza project. It consists of a public plaza, benches, bicycle parking racks, planting beds and the commemorative bricks.

Witko praised this and other upcoming projects, as well as the village’s historic businesses. She lauded the Public Works Department for its work on Gateway Plaza, and then welcomed the attendees of the ceremony.

“I thank you all for coming and those that put in bricks,” Witko said. “They’ll be here a long time and represent the love we have for our community.”

Village officials report that a total of 128 commemorative bricks were purchased for $125 each. They adorn the three seating areas in the middle of the plaza, surrounding the central garden. Attendees were given lists of the bricks in each section so they could more easily locate the one they had donated.

Also in attendance were village Clerk Eileen Scanlon Harford, trustees Connie Travis, Saba Khan, Rita Minx, and John Thill. Mike Gesualdo and John Mitchell from Public Works were also there.

Witko wielded the jumbo scissors to cut the ribbon on the green space.

June Vanko and Jill Chrobak, residents of the nearby Homestead of Morton Grove, arrived early to wait for friends who had purchased bricks. Vanko, a new Morton Grove resident, was hoping to meet mayor Dan DiMaria but he wasn’t in attendance.

Pam Leffler, executive director of the Morton Grove Public Library, also arrived early to look for the library’s two bricks — one of which was donated in the library’s honor.

Myrna Petlicki is a freelancer.