Planning Programs and Projects

The Robbins Board of Trustees adopted the Robbins TOD and Industrial Areas Plan at their February 28, 2023 meeting. The adopted plan can be found in "Related Reports."

This project kicked off in January 2024 with data collection, development of an existing conditions analysis, and the first meeting with the project Steering Committee. The project team is currently preparing for upcoming community engagement activities to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. 

The discussion panel was held on November 18, 2015. The final summary report is complete and can be found in the Related Studies section.

In 2021, the River Grove Station development was completed and began leasing units. The 40-unit multi-family development is located adjacent to the River Grove Metra station in the area designated as "Site 1" in the River Grove Thatcher Avenue Transit-Oriented Development Plan (2014). This site was the subject of the 2015 Developer Panel. 

Preferred service concepts and station concepts were documented in a report pushlished December 2021. The final report can be found under Related Studies. The RTA will monitor for implementation of the report recommendations.

The final plan was approved by the City Council in December 2014.

In July 2016, zoning approval was granted for Fox River Crossing, an affordable senior housing development with 60 apartment units, at the northwest corner of Route 31 and Lawrence. In September of 2017 the developers of Fox River Crossing received federal low income tax credits, which are passed on as below market rents for seniors.

The renovation of Elgin's historic Tower Building, a 22-unit apartment building at the corner of E. Chicago Street and N. Grove Avenue in Downtown Elgin was completed at the end of 2017. Apartments units are currently available to rent.

During 2016 and 2017 the City continued with streetscape improvements along Chicago Street including the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk linking the Metra station with the Pace Transportation Center. In addition, in the summer of 2018 RTA interagency signage will be installed within and adjacent to the station areas to assist passengers making bus and train transfer connections.

Two mixed-use developments, Fountain Square on the River (200 residential units) and River Park Place (180 residential units) were recently built. A downtown festival park was also built and a bike path extension is planned.

This study (completed in 2005) addressed a proposed station at Laraway Road along the Southwest Service expansion. This expansion project, which included 11 miles of new track, was completed in January 2006, including the Laraway Road station (opened October 9, 2006). As part of the 2013 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects, the RTA worked with ULI to convene a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice to the Village as they try to attract development to the 240-acre vacant area near the Laraway Road Metra Station. This discussion took place on October 25, 2013 and the Summary Report can be found in Related Studies. 

The Plan was presented in March 2022 to the City Council. The final report and supporting documents can be found under "Related Reports". The City is pursuing funding for various roadwork, public plazas and gathering spaces as identified in the plan and later in 2022 was awarded design engineering funds for the 154th Street Improvement Project. The project will include pedestrian safety and ADA compliant sidewalk improvements by upgrading the pavement, sidewalk, and lighting conditions along 154th Street. The RTA will continue monitoring for plan implementation activities.