Planning Programs and Projects
This page allows users to search for projects from the RTA’s Planning Programs. Users can search for projects by name or keyword from the Search bar or the Filter pulldown menus.
Table results display summary information about each project. To view more details for a project, select the + icon to expand the view for additional information.
Year | Project Title | Program | Project Type Sort ascending | Project Partner | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||||
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+ | Woodstock Transit-Oriented Development Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Woodstock | $67,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Woodstock Transit-Oriented Development Study project focused on integrating transportation and mobility improvements into a station area plan that included the redevelopment of the vacant Die Cast lot north of the Woodstock Metra station.
Current Activities
The study was completed in November 2003. The 12-acre Die-Cast site (located just east and adjacent to the UP tracks) was partially redeveloped with a 10-unit townhome community called Woodstock Station by The Hummel Group in 2008. Six acres of the original planning study site remains undeveloped. In 2018 the renovation of the former Elks Lodge at Cass and Throop Street into a retail, café and bar and the conversion of the BMO Harris Bank Building on the Square to a Brew Pub and Café are examples of transit supportive infill development in downtown Woodstock.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.15.2018 |
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+ | Prairie Grove Town Center and TOD Development Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Prairie Grove | $118,418 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This study will create a transit-oriented development plan for the Village that encompasses an approximate ½ mile radius of the location of the future station on the spur of Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line.
Current Activities
The Prairie Grove Village Board adopted the Town Center plan on June 15, 2010. This station is part of the proposed UP-NW Extension plans. According to the 2016 State of the System Report, Metra is pursuing funding for this project from the federal New Starts program. The UP-NW Extension Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Impact Statement phases have been completed. For more information please visit: https://metrarail.com/sites/default/files/assets/about-metra/studies/up-nw_aa_final_report_october2007.pdf.
The Village was also included in the 2011 Community Planning Program of projects to update their TOD area zoning regulations in anticipation of new development. These regulations are currently on hold as the property clears the foreclosure process. As soon as the property is clear, the Village will consider adopting these regulations. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.15.2018 |
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+ | Chicago Washington Park 63rd Street Corridor TOD Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Chicago | $149,979 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project created a transit access improvement and transit-oriented development (TOD) plan for the 63rd Street Corridor in Chicago's Washington Park Neighborhood between the Cottage Grove Green Line station on the east and the King Drive Green Line station on the west. The plan outlines land use development concepts, design guidelines, and implementation strategies for access improvements and TOD along the corridor that will help maximize the existing transit investments within the neighborhood, including CTA bus routes (Route 63, which ranks ninth in overall bus ridership for the CTA) and rail services. The plan serves as a guide to enhance development, increase transit ridership and expand housing and economic development opportunities in the neighborhood. Current Activities
This study is being used by City staff and elected officials to guide transit access improvements and land use development along the corridor. A significant amount of development has been occurring near the station. Visit our Story Map for details Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 07.28.2021 |
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+ | South Chicago Heights Station Area Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | South Chicago Heights | $99,655 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The study will address the redevelopment of parcels of land surrounding the proposed new SES transit station off of Sauk Road. The study will investigate the appropriate mix of residential and commercial uses within the station area and identify wayfinding, access and streetscape improvements.
Current Activities
The final plan was adopted by the Village Board on September 8, 2009 and the Village acquired property for the proposed station on the SES Line.
In 2010, Metra completed the Alternatives Analysis for the proposed SouthEast Service Line and on March 7, 2011, then Governor Quinn signed into law House Bill 1644 which established the Southeast Commuter Rail Transit District which now has authority to acquire rights to use the freight rail line, buy land to build train stations and purchase rail cars. However, in 2015 Metra put a hold on further development of the line due to limited funding resources. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.13.2017 |
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+ | Blue Island Transit-Oriented Development | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Blue Island | $22,200 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The City of Blue Island Transit-Oriented Development study recommended improving the pedestrian environment between the Metra Electric and Rock Island District stations that are located within 500 feet of each other and where significant passenger transferring between the stations occur. The study also recommended providing streetscaping and guidance signage enhancements from the two stations to downtown Blue Island and Saint Francis Hospital, which was renamed to MetroSouth Medical Center in 2008.
Current Activities
The study was completed in May 1999. The RTA recently completed a Phase II Transit Corridor Study which developed conceptual development programs for two parcels in the TOD area; one parcel is an under-utilized parking area Southeast of the Vermont Street Rock Island station and the other is adjacent to the station. Additionally, through an RTA Pilot Project providing implementation technical assistance, a new zoning district called the Uptown Transit-Oriented District was created and formally adopted into the City Zoning Ordinance on June 14, 2012. The new regulations can be found here. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.13.2024 |
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+ | Tinley Park Station Area Plans | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Tinley Park | $40,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project developed plans for two commuter rail station areas in the Village of Tinley Park, the Oak Park Avenue Station located in the downtown and the 80th Avenue station located southwest of the downtown. For the Oak Park Avenue Station, the project identified mixed-use redevelopment opportunities to revitalize the commercial core surrounding the station. The 80th Avenue Station scope of work focused on civic uses, expanded parking, and improved access to the station. The study was completed in September 1998. Current Activities
A new station was rebuilt between 2002-2005 at the Oak Park Avenue stop on the Rock Island Line that includes a café and a clock tower with 360° views of the station area. Additionally, a new station at the 80th Avenue stop opened in the Spring of 2012. The Village of Tinley Park recently announced it is partnering with a developer that has acquired the final parcel of property needed to move forward with construction of Harmony Square, a new multi-use plaza that will be located at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and North Street in Downtown Tinley. The Village also secured funding for a new traffic light at 80th Avenue and Timber Drive to help control traffic in the Metra station area. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.13.2024 |
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+ | Buffalo Grove Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Buffalo Grove | $124,427 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
Through this study, the Village developed transit-oriented development plans for two locations along the Metra North Central Line: Deerfield Parkway at Commerce Court and Route 22 at Prairie. This study produced transit-oriented development plans for two Metra stations on the North Central Line in the Village of Buffalo Grove: Buffalo Grove and Prairie View. Current Activities
The study was completed in January 2007. The Village surveyed area employers within the station area in summer of 2010 to identify any needed revisions to Pace Bus Route #626, which serves the station. Upgrades were made to the route shortly after. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 09.28.2021 |
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+ | Plainfield STAR Line Transit-Oriented Development District Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Plainfield | $123,123 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project developed a plan to guide development in and around the possible Plainfield station area site on the proposed Metra STAR Line commuter rail line. The resulting plan provides recommendations to link the proposed station area with the existing downtown, residential areas and employment centers as well as transit-oriented development options.
Current Activities
The Village Board adopted the final plan in June 2009. A Park-N-Ride was implemented in 2009 at New Van Dyke Rd and Village Center Drive to connect to Pace Route #855. Additionally, Planning, Engineering and Environmental phases of the proposed Metra STAR Line project were completed in 2012. Further development of the STAR Line has not taken place since 2012. For more information please visit: STAR Line Alternatives Analysis Final Report.
In 2018 Pace began operations of the new Plainfield Park-n-Ride lot to support the Pace I-55 Bus on Shoulder service. Although this transit service in Plainfield is Bus on Shoulder service instead of STAR Line service, this lot is a recommendation of the 2007 plan. In the spring of 2018 the Village entered into a a public-private partnership with a builder with the intent to encourage new development on several acres adjacent to the Park-N-Ride lot at Van Dyke and Wood Farm Roads. The new development will include a new Emergency Management Agency building for the Village. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 10.30.2018 |
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+ | Lombard Downtown Implementation Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Lombard | $125,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
Building on previous work conducted by the Village this project created a transit-oriented development plan for an approximate ½ mile radius of the existing Metra station within the Village. The plan focused on improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and access, creating redevelopment opportunities for surrounding properties, and improving the look and signage in downtown. There was a detailed analysis of two areas including the Core Downtown Area and E. St. Charles TIF Area. Specific site recommendations were provided with associated financial analysis and façade ideas. The plan also made recommendation for accommodating parking in the long term and conducting a road diet on Main Street and St. Charles Road east of Main Street. Additionally way finding, signage and branding recommendations were included in the plan. The Village Board officially adopted the plan in March 2011. Current Activities
In 2021, construction began on the Lilac Station development at 101 South Main Street, a 118-unit mixed-use building with a 11,000 square foot grocery store at ground level. The Village maintains a webpage dedicated to the project that includes detailed construction and permitting updates. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.10.2022 |
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+ | Morton Grove Commuter Station Location Analysis | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Morton Grove | $99,500 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Village of Morton Grove Commuter Station Location Analysis prepared redevelopment scenarios for the Lehigh/Ferris area that included recommendations for high density residential, improvements to commuter rail station facilities and the expansion of commuter parking. The study also determined that relocating the existing commuter station and realigning Lehigh Avenue was not feasible. Realigning Lincoln Avenue at Ferris to cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle is recommended and the preferred alternative.
Current Activities
In 2010, the Village received an ITEP grant for $446,600 to help defray the cost of a realignment of Lincoln Avenue to mitigate traffic and safety issues at the at-grade crossing, a recommendation from the study. The Village is still searching for funding to complete this project. The Woodlands (320 condominiums and 78 townhomes) was built between 2002 and 2006. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.14.2024 |