Renovations begin Tuesday at Mount Prospect Metra station

New doors and windows, as well as fresh coats of paint and new signage, are among the additions planned as part of a renovation project beginning Tuesday at the Mount Prospect Metra station. Courtesy of Mike Zarnek/Village of Mount Prospect

Work to upgrade the interior and exterior of the Mount Prospect Metra station begins Tuesday. The station will remain open during the work, which is expected to continue through the spring. Courtesy of Mike Zarnek/Village of Mount Prospect

Work begins Tuesday on renovations to the downtown Mount Prospect Metra station that will include installation of new doors and windows, repair or replacement of stone and brick on the building's exterior and new signage.

The station will remain open throughout the project, which is expected to be complete in spring 2017, village officials said.

"The whole idea is to keep the historical features intact and update (the building) so it doesn't fall into a state of disrepair," said Scott Moe, streets/buildings superintendent for Mount Prospect.

Metra will be funding the changes, and construction will halt during prime commuting hours. Most work will take place between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the track side of the station.

Only the south entrance to the station will be accessible during the project. The handicap parking lot west of the station will be a staging area, so it will be closed. However, station drop-off and the east parking lot will be open. The platform is not expected to be affected by the construction, village officials said.

Other aspects of the work include interior and exterior painting, a new dumpster enclosure, and possible roof work.