Plans for a new Village Hall and upgrades to the Dempster Street Corridor are on the horizon in 2026 for north suburban Morton Grove, village leaders say – as the new Metra commuter station is welcomed.
“We’re making moves to make the village look and feel better,” said Morton Grove mayor Janine Witko, who is serving her first term as mayor after 12 years as a village trustee.
Witko and Village Manager Chuck Meyer told Pioneer Press about their lookahead for the town in 2026.
New ‘immaculately beautiful’ Metra commuter station
A newly-built Metra commuter rail station has opened in Morton Grove following a $4 million renovation. A $300,000 grant from Metra and $500,000 received with help from state Rep. Mike Kelly helped cover costs. Witko described the inside of the new train station – which had not been updated since the 1970s – as “immaculately beautiful” and the first sign of improvement in the village.
Further development is expected across the street from the station at 8500-8550 Lehigh Ave., where a new 60-unit mixed-use complex that includes apartments for rent, restaurants and retail, is proposed.
“It’s a complete transformation for the area,” Meyer said, adding the Metra station’s two-story structure features a clock tower, modern amenities and a clean aesthetic that “provide a new gateway to the village.”
The station is currently being used by commuters and a grand opening is planned for March or April. He said the village is also hoping to attract a coffee shop or restaurant for the retail space inside the station.
‘Excited’ for new Village Hall plans
Plans are also underway to construct a new Village Hall this year. The current one, at 6101 Capulina Ave., has been used by village staff and the police department since the 1980s. Once an elementary school dating back to 1895, the facility was originally intended to be a temporary location, Witko said.
In a unique public-private real estate sale and exchange, the village purchased a building and its surrounding 1.67 acres of property at 6201 Dempster St. for $1.4 million in December 2024. The building was previously owned and currently used by Fifth Third Bank.
Meyer said the same day the village bought the 6201 Dempster St. property, Fifth Third Bank finalized its purchase of a vacant village-owned parcel across the street at 6210 Dempster St. A 2,800-square-foot new bank building is currently under construction on that site. Once construction is complete and current bank staff occupy the new building, renovations and expansions will begin for the new Village Hall. Meyer said that is expected most likely in 2027.
“We’re excited for this, with police, community development and administration all in this new location which will serve people better,” Witko said. “It’s more centrally located and will be ADA accessible.”
According to village documents, the Morton Grove Park District also played a role in the December 2024 real estate transaction. The Park District swapped the property at 6201 Dempster St. for a slightly larger parcel of village-owned land at 6140 Dempster St., which will expand Harrer Park.
“It’s a good success story of intergovernmental cooperation with the Morton Grove Park District and with Fifth Third Bank,” Meyer said. “It’s a win-win for all parties.”
Meyer estimates the new Village Hall will cost about $30 million. Village staff is currently negotiating with a construction management company and working with architects to utilize the structure of the two-story bank building. A single-floor extension would be added to the south end of the building and serve as the police department. A total of 70 to 80 village employees, including police personnel, will eventually be located in the new facility.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and last 18 months, Meyer said, with an anticipated 2028 opening.
“We’ve asked the architect to give us options,” Meyer said. “The big thing for us is having a space that the public can easily use. We’re looking to add a multipurpose room that can function for formal board meetings and informal workshops to serve the community in a more flexible way, and we’re looking at more artistic options in and around the building.”
Making Dempster Street corridor welcoming
Witko said Dempster Street, one of the village’s main thoroughfares, is “not a welcoming area.” The mayor said village leaders sought input from residents on how to improve the area. The village hired consultant firm Teska Associates last year to conduct a residential survey “so everyone has a voice in the process and everyone’s ideas are shared,” she said.
“We have been in the planning stages of our Dempster Street Corridor, working with the regional authority and PACE to encourage and influence redevelopment,” Witko said of the streetscape on Dempster Street from Central Avenue west to Ozark Avenue. “We’re approving a TIF [tax increment financing] district for redevelopment efforts that will really change what Dempster Street looks and feels like.”
According to the village manager, the most significant issue with the area is walkability. The four-lane wide, east-west corridor is hard to maneuver for pedestrians.
“We have fantastic places along that corridor, and we’re finding ways we can help residents walk in the area and make it a more welcoming environment,” Meyer said.
Meyer said village leaders are starting the process of creating a TIF district from Central Avenue west to the Cook County forest preserves in Morton Grove. The village currently has a TIF district at Dempster Street and Waukegan Road for The Residences at Sawmill Station apartment complex.
Meyer said the current assessed value for the proposed TIF is $42 million, and the village’s consultant is estimating at the expiration of the TIF, the property values in that area could exceed $142 million. Meyer also said the current TIF redevelopment budget is estimated at $73 million to improve the area.
The village manager explained that consultants will be finalizing their plans in the coming weeks and presenting a report to the Village Board. His intention is to take feedback from that report and integrate approved ideas into the next fiscal year’s budget process.
Witko said “residents would like to see ice cream shops, and places they can stop off at while riding their bikes through the nearby forest preserve, little alcoves off the side of Dempster Street where people can gather. We’ll also be updating signage and making it a more aesthetic appeal.”
Metro on Main development recognized
One of the village’s more recent residential developments, Metro on Main with 89 townhomes, was recently recognized as the development of the year by “Chicago Agent Magazine.”
Witko said village leaders and staff are always in contact with property owners, trying to fill empty retail spaces and identifying new opportunities for development. One area Witko and residents have identified for improvement is the northwest corner of Dempster Street and Waukegan Road, which has been vacant for a long time.
In addition, residents and village staff would also like to see another grocery store in the village, the mayor said. There is already an Aldi store in town, but Amazon Fresh recently closed.
“We are aggressively engaging property owners throughout the village to connect them with good retail locations and good development opportunities,” Meyer said, hesitant to release details on any pending deals.
Witko said the village is proud of its tree canopy, with plans to plant 225 trees this year with aid from a grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Village leaders have plans for Morton Grove Days, the staple summertime festival that will run July 2 to July 5, to align with the country’s 250th anniversary.
“Morton Grove Days is one of the top events in this whole area over the summer,” Witko said. “I would invite anyone to join us this year. We hope to make it more special this year.”
Enhanced village-resident communications
Both the mayor and village manager consider it important for all village leaders and staff to be responsive to the more than 25,000 residents.
“When issues come up, not only big projects, but residents’ daily interactions with the village,” Meyer said, “we’re receptive to their concerns and work with them on any issues that come up.”
Witko said responsiveness is a top priority for her.
“Many residents will hear back from me the same day,” she said. “That’s a part of the job I take very seriously.”
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.
