River Forest’s park district commissioners are likely to take action on the proposed $782,056 renovation to its headquarters at The Depot, 401 Thatcher Ave., at its next meeting on Aug. 14. 

The board discussed the renovations at its July 31 special meeting but did not take a vote, according to Michael Sletten, park district executive director. Instead, commissioners asked for a few clarifications. If the board approves the plan on Aug. 14, construction would start in December and finish by June 2018, in time for summer camps. District operations and programming would shift to other sites during the construction, possibly District 90 schools or the River Forest Community Center. 

“At this point, no decision has been made,” Sletten said. “They asked a couple of additional follow ups on information about the space.”

Commissioners are deciding on a new first floor plan which would free up more space for activities and programming, including a new 750-square foot space. Programming space would now be ADA accessible, too. There would be a revamped lobby as well. 

A coal shoot on the southwest corner of the building is being removed, Sletten said Aug. 7. Initially, the district drew up plans to keep the shoot as a “cost saving measure,” but Sletten said it was later determined to be cheaper to take it out. 

According to Sletten’s memo, district staff would have to relocate during construction, and may shift to vacant apartments directly north of The Depot, across the parking lot. 

As reported by Wednesday Journal at the time, the park district has worked for several years to find space for expanded programming. In 2015, there were rumors of construction of new administrative offices attached to The Depot, freeing up space inside.  

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