Bartlett train depot project botched

To the editor: As usual, Bartlett gets what its trustees want -- not what the residents need. According to a Jan. 12 article in the Daily Herald, the new split train station platforms had to be constructed in such a manner because it cost too much to do it the proper way.

If that's the case, why then did they opt for an upgraded copper roof? Has anyone taken into consideration that there are no crosswalks north to south at either platform? There is no safe way to cross the tracks except at the street intersection.

Also, why was it necessary to have the station located where it is when Metra wanted to move it further east so that proper platforms could be built without the extra cost? Because the trustees of Bartlett wanted it to be close to the Town Center to "communicate with other buildings" -- a major concern during construction.

How many commuters actually use any of the businesses that are in the Town Center? How many visitors to Bartlett using Metra actually go to the buildings in the Town Center?

The trustees of Bartlett should take the money earmarked for their useless 99-seat cultural center and make the train station functional. More residents use the train than will ever use the cultural center.

The trustees of Bartlett need to start thinking of functionality rather than impracticality. After all, does the Village building really need to communicate with the Town Center that in turn needs to communicate with the train station?

Doug August

Bartlett