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.

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This search filters based on details within the Planning Project. The search box below allows users to search by Planning Project name.

Year Project Title Program Project Type Project Partner Budget Funding Source(s) Status Sort descending
+ East Dundee: Dundee Crossing Transit Center Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan East Dundee $99,770
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description

This study investigated a location for a proposed transit center within the Village, which would serve as a Pace bus hub and Park-N-Ride facility. At the time of the study it was determined that a comprehensive transit center located within Dundee Crossing would not be viable due low ridership demand coupled with the location of adjunct transit centers in Elgin and Prairie Stone. The study also included a preliminary assessment for adding Pace bus service on Route 72 from the Village to Prairie Stone business park. The study also recommended designing the strategic parcels identified in the study to be transit-friendly to achieve economic development objectives.

Current Activities

The final report was completed in November 2010. Per a recommendation in the plan, the Village updated their zoning ordinance to allow more transit-supportive uses. Recently, two phases of an IHDA-approved senior living development have been completed at the Northwest corner of Routes 72 & 25: River Haven Place (68 units) and Gardiner Place (80 units). Currently the Village is looking for ways to improve access to the area Pace Bus routes. The RTA is providing assistance as needed.

The Village is in the process of preparing Dundee Crossing for development and investment using these strategies: 1) Created a mixed-use district master plan. 2) Created a Tax Increment Financing District. 2) Revised its Planned Unit Development Ordinance. 4) Initiated engineering for streetscape improvements.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79,816
Local $19,954

Last Updated 05.08.2023

+ Oak Park Intermodal Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Oak Park $241,518
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This study examined ways to increase usage of the station, increase access to the station by alternative modes of transportation, enhance transfers between modes at the station, and integrate with development plans.
Current Activities

This project was completed in May 2005. In late November 2011, it was announced that the West Cook County Housing Collaborative received a nearly $3 million grant for its transit-oriented development strategy to update comprehensive plans and to create a sustainable transit-oriented development fund for the communities of Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maywood and Oak Park. The communities are completed Comprehensive Plans that include recommendations for priority redevelopment parcels in each community's TOD area. 

Many development projects have been completed in the Village's TOD areas. Construction was completed on a 21-story mixed-use building at Lake Street and Forest Avenue, called Vantage Oak Park, in summer of 2016 with the first units occupied in July. The development includes 270 rental apartments, 25,000SF of ground-level retail and an integrated parking garage with 288 residential spaces and 300 public spaces. Another mixed-use residential, retail and parking project, called Oak Park Station, opened in late 2017 on the Village-owned Westgate site between Lake Street and North Boulevard just east of Harlem Avenue. Oak Park Station features a 20-story tower and five-story building that include 270 rental apartments, 28,000 square feet of retail and a five-story parking garage with 428 spaces for residential, retail, and public use. Additionally, a new transit-oriented development on the southeast corner of South Boulevard and Harlem Avenue was completed in 2019. The building, known as Eleven 33, is a mixed-use structure consisting of approximately 263 rental apartments, 10,000 square feet of retail and a 400 space parking garage. These new developments encourage increased ridership on all available transit services in the downtown area by adding a significant number of residential units within walking distance of CTA, Metra and Pace service. 

The Village is also planning an extension of the Marion Street streetscape improvements west on South Boulevard to Harlem Avenue to enhance pedestrian and bicycle mobility and access to surrounding transit service. These improvements would include wider sidewalks, shorter intersection crosswalk distances improved lighting and public seating. The project is partially funded through the Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP).

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $181,518
Federal $60,000

Last Updated 02.14.2024

+ Lemont Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Lemont $3,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
The Village was selected for inclusion in the 2014 Community Planning Program of Projects for a ULI Developer Discussion Panel. The Discussion was used by the Village to solicit guidance on ways to proactively attract infill development near the Metra Station as well as along the Downtown Main Street corridor
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,000

Last Updated 11.17.2016

+ Bartlett Downtown / TOD Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Bartlett $124,925
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project assisted the Village with developing a TOD plan for the core downtown / Metra station area. The plan will be used as a guide for the Village as it takes steps to improve the Downtown Business District, and includes realistic and economically viable strategies that will benefit Village residents, businesses and visitors to the Village's downtown and support transit use.

Current Activities

The Village Board of Trustees adopted the plan on October 18, 2016 and the Village is has identified initial steps to take to implement the plan. A mixed-use project "Balance Family Chiropractic" consisting of 6,152 sq. ft of office space and 2 residential units was constructed in June 2018. In October 2019 the Village Board approved the site plan to put a brewery and restaurant at the southeast corner of Railroad and South Oak Avenues. The approval included ordinance variations to the site plan include an elimination of the required off-street parking spaces in favor of shared parking spaces already in downtown Bartlett, as recommended in the TOD Plan.

The RTA continued to support the Village with implementing the plan for downtown Bartlett through assistance to update the Village Zoning Code, adding a mixed-use TOD Overlay district for the downtown area.

In July 2021 the Village Board approved the development of the Residences at Bartlett Station, a 104 unit apartment building located just east of the Metra station at the SW corner of Railroad Avenue and Berteau.

In December 2022, the Village awarded grants from the Bartlett Economic Assistance Program to three area businesses (MORE Brewing, L P'tit Resto Bar Tapas, and Pasta Mia) for building enhancements to facilitate redevelopment of the station area. These projects implement recommendations from the Plan.

Furthermore, a 19,432-square-foot Aldi -- to be Bartlett's second nonspecialized grocery store -- is under construction at the Streets of Bartlett shopping center downtown for a late 2023 or early 2024 opening.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $24,985
Federal $99,940

Last Updated 11.09.2023

+ Will County Mobility Management Program '15 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating Will County $338,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

This program provides transportation and mobility management services for persons with disabilities and older adults residing in eastern Will County townships. The program is an outgrowth of the county's coordinated paratransit plan funded through the RTA's former sub-regional Planning program

Current Activities

The operating service provided 239 Section 5310 trips in March 2019. This project is complete.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $139,000
Federal $199,000

Last Updated 11.19.2023

+ Will County Coordinated Paratransit Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Will County $99,995
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This study created a coordinated paratransit plan for the County. This included an inventory of existing paratransit services, a gap analysis based on the inventory, and identified strategies to begin the development of an action plan to implement a pilot program of a coordinated paratransit initiative.
Current Activities
The final plan was adopted by the Will County Board of Directors in November 2010 and the RTA worked with the County to implement the recommendations, including forming a Coordinated Paratransit Committee and identifying funding opportunities for a Mobility Manager.

In November 2011, the RTA Board approved funding through the Job Access Reverse Commute/New Freedom (JARC/NF) program for the Will County Mobility Management Program . This program will provide transportation and mobility management services for persons with disabilities, the elderly and low-income individuals residing in eastern Will County townships.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79,996
Local $19,999

Last Updated 12.15.2016

+ McHenry County Services Restructuring Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan McHenry County $149,996
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project evaluated and recommended improvements to bus service in McHenry County as part of the County Long-Range Transportation Planning efforts. Through this study, services were examined and effective strategies and improved coordination opportunities were identified. Short term and long term service options were recommended.
Current Activities
This project is complete and implementation activities are underway. Pace has implemented the fixed route service recommendations. These recommendations include: 1. A restructure of Route 806 to service Route 31 and the heavily utilized activity generators such as big box retail stores, a senior center, and a social service center serving families. 2. A restructure of Route 807 to discontinue the loop around Wonder Lake (resulting in a 20 minute travel time reduction) and simplify routing in downtown McHenry. And, 3. A restructure of Route 808 to discontinue deviations.

These resulting improvements have allowed ridership to remain steady, while providing cost savings to Pace. Ridership on the County¿s MC Ride service continues to grow in both service area (added Village of Lakewood and Nunda Township) and ridership (reaching 90,000 trips). Additionally, Pace is investigating a fixed bus route on the north portion on Randall Road, as recommended in the plan.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $119,997
Local $29,999

Last Updated 01.04.2017

+ - McHenry County Service Integration & Coordination '18-19 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating McHenry County $2,400,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

The McRide program provides coordinated dial-a-ride service to individuals with disabilities and individuals 60 years or older.  The RTA Board approved funding for this project on August 22, 2019.

Current Activities

The operating service provided  3,385 trips in January 2021..

This project is complete.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $1,200,000
Federal $1,200,000

Last Updated 11.24.2023

+ New Lenox Station Area Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan New Lenox $121,629
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project created a concept plan for a mixed-use development located at the proposed new Metra commuter station on the SouthWest Line extension. The 240- acre site located at Laraway and Cedar Roads is currently vacant. The village's goal is to create a transit-supportive development.
Current Activities

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

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $24,326
Federal $97,303

Last Updated 02.15.2024

+ Evanston TOD Parking Regulations Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Evanston $25,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project assisted the City in determining what changes to the City zoning ordinance should be considered to better reflect the actual supply and demand for parking in TOD areas, and encourage increased transit use by residents and businesses in these areas. Parking requirement alternatives were analyzed for all CTA and Metra station areas in the City of Evanston. The City's goal was to increase the use of transit, balance the supply of parking needs in TOD areas and refine policy that will lead to the elimination of unnecessary parking being constructed in the City. A parking research and best practices report was written to based on TOD parking best practices,recommendations to reduce parking requirements for the City as well as other strategies to reduce the parking demand near transit stations.
Current Activities
A Text Amendment to officially reduce the parking requirements in TOD areas was adopted by City Council in September 2017 and is being applied to new developments in the City's TOD areas.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $5,000
Federal $20,000

Last Updated 10.24.2018