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Politics & Government

City Gets Its Way With Metra

Spots in Larch parking deck now under 40-year lease.

City attorneys scored a victory over a once-stubborn Metra, securing a promised $2.5 million in return for leasing 125 parking spaces to the transportation agency.

Elmhurst's Public Works and Building Committee learned Monday that a deal–in jeopardy for months because Metra officials changed their mind about the terms–had been finalized.

Attorney Nick Peppers reported that Elmhurst had been negotiating with Metra over the form of the grant. When the deck was built, the understanding was that the city would turn over some spaces for commuters.

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But after the deck was completed, Metra officials balked on cutting the check, saying Metra should own portions of the facility. Peppers said the delay in working out the grant terms is due to staff changes at Metra.

“We convinced them to go with a 40-year easement,” Peppers said, adding the agency has the option to renew the lease after that time is up.

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The city also gets to dictate where in the deck the commuter spots will be located. Initially, Metra wanted the lower two tiers.

“We will probably work from the top down,” Peppers said.

Committee members wondered how much control the city would have over setting rates. Peppers said that the city can set rates but Metra has to approve them. First Ward Alderman Diane Gutenkauf said she believes Metra wants all commuter parking facilities to have similar rates.

Elmhurst parking is currently $2 per space per day, $35 per month, $105 per quarter or $400 annually.

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