Planning Programs and Projects

The original TOD study was updated by the City of Elmhurst in 2006 and continues to foster residential, commercial, and retail development in the downtown area. A six-story mixed use development is currently under construction at 100 N. Addison in downtown Elmhurst. This development has 11,000 square feet of first floor commercial space with 165 residential apartment units above the commercial spaces. This development is located adjacent to the Metra station in downtown Elmhurst. Completed in 2019. 

Elmhurst also secured grant funding to reconstruct its downtown Metra station. The work scope included reconstruction of the inbound and outbound platform, a new pedestrian tunnel at York Street and designated bus and vehicle drop-off lanes to reduce localized vehicular congestion. This $18 million project began in the summer of 2019.

In 2010, the City completed construction of a five-story, 253-space parking deck to serve downtown patrons and Metra commuters at First Street and Larch Avenue. In addition, a new parking deck with street-level commercial was built at Schiller Street and Palmer Drive as well as a traditional parking deck at Addison Road and Adelaide Street. 

In 2016 the City opened a 6-story, 690-space parking deck at Addison Avenue and 2nd Street with ground-floor retail, serving downtown customers and employees. Elmhurst 255, a 188-unit residential rental project was completed in 2016, amenities include 12,000SF ground level retail and a public event plaza.

The new Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line Station, funded with $50 million in City TIF funds, opened for service in February 2015. A new entertainment district between McCormick Place and the station has been developing since 2015, including the new Wintrust Arena and four new hotels, three of which provide a connection via a skybridge to McCormick Place's west building.

A 24-story, 275-unit building in the McCormick Square area and one block from the station wasa completed in 2020 and the same developer is seeking zoning approval to construct a 12-story apartment building immediately south of it, at Wabash and Cermak.

The Chicago Housing Authority has engaged a developer to redevelop the site of the former Harold Icks Homes at State and Cermak, directly across State Street from the green line station. The new development, named Southbridge, will be mixed-income, mixed-use and will include retail space as well as up to 900 rental and for-sale housing units. Phase I, which includes two mixed-use residential buildings, was completed in 2022.

The Plan was adopted by the Town Board on November 11, 2014. The Town has initiated some implementation efforts by securing technical assistance in 2018 from the RTA to amend the Town Zoning ordinance. 

In 2021 the Chicago Transit Authority was awarded funds for design engineering to improve the at-grade crossing of the Pink Line with Cicero Avenue. As identified in the plan, the condition of the roadway and the protective rubber boots at the crossing have deteriorated over time, creating hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians. In addition, the signal system, roadway, and pedestrian gate mechanisms at the grade crossing will be upgraded. The CTA will work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to make these critical system improvements. Changes to this grade crossing are a priority due to several safety incidents at the crossing that have put CTA staff and passengers at potential risk. 

The final report was adopted by the Village Board in November 2017. In July 2018 the Village Board approved $1,289,800 to modify the basic downtown Metra station to add restrooms and upgrade the design to what is considered more in keeping with Libertyville's historic character. Station improvements were completed in 2019.

In 2021 the 116-year old historic building at the southeast corner of School street and Milwaukee Avenue, former home to the La Villa Theatre in downtown Libertyville was renovated to include eight apartments on the upper two floors and the restoration of the building's original features.

In early 2024 the Village of Libertyville completed the installation of five new wayfinding signs throughout the downtown, including one directly outside the Metra station. This was a transportation recommendation in the Downtown TOD Plan.

The RTA will monitor the Village's progress to implement the Plan.

This project was completed in December 2010. In spring of 2011, Pace was awarded an FTA grant for $800,000 to install bus shelters and sidewalk connectors along the Randall Road Route #529 study area. All shelters under this grant have been installed at 28 stops along the route, along with necessary sidewalk connectors in certain locations as recommended in the plan.

In late 2013 Pace received CMAQ approval for Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements along various Pace Routes. This project funds concrete pads and sidewalks, implementing recommendations from the Kane County Randall Road Pace Route 529 Plan.

Additionally, Pace was awarded in December 2011 a grant from the RTA's Innovative Coordination & Enhancement (ICE) program for the installation of bus pads along Randall Road as part of this project.

RTA, ULI, and Village of Brookfield staff facilitated the developer panel discussion on Thursday, December 16, 2021. Four developer panelists were in attendance. The report of recommendations was published in March 2022 and is available under "Related Reports."