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 Sort descending | Program | Project Type | Project Partner | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||||
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| + | Evanston CTA and Metra Main Street Stations Bicycle Parking | Access to Transit Program | Pedestrian Access to Transit | Evanston | $70,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
This project included the purchase and installation of a total of 40 bike parking facilities on three new concrete pads around the CTA and Metra Main Street Stations. Current Activities
Construction on the project and installation of the bike racks was completed in fall of 2017. Improvements include increased access to the Metra and CTA Main Street stations, CTA #205 and Northwestern University Intercampus Shuttle bus routes. The bike parking facilities improve access to these transit stations, in addition to business and commercial districts along Chicago Avenue and Main Street. Moreover, this project complements the City of Evanston's other efforts to encourage alternative transportation use. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.26.2023 |
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| + | Evanston Main Street Station Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Evanston | $125,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project created a transit-oriented development plan for the City's Main Street Metra and CTA stations. The plan evaluated ways to introduce high-quality office and technology space into the station area and improve connections between the two stations.
Current Activities
The Main Street TOD Plan was adopted by the Evanston City Council on July 9, 2014. A nine-story mixed-use development at Chicago Avenue and Main Street that includes 112 apartment units above ground floor retail and second floor office and amenity space opened in fall of 2016. In 2017 the RTA assisted the City to create a TOD Parking Policy for areas surrounding this and other rail stations throughout the City. In 2018 the RTA awarded funds to install new bike racks at the Main Street Station via the RTA's Access to Transit Program.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.03.2020 |
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| + | Evanston Multi-Modal Master Transportation Plan | Community Planning | Transit Improvement Plan | Evanston | $100,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The general scope of the project was to develop mode specific plans (transit, pedestrian, and auto) to compliment and integrate with the existing Evanston Bike Plan. The goal was to foster an integrated and coordinated transportation system throughout Evanston. The RTA participated in the transit component of this plan.
Current Activities
in late 2013 the City received CMAQ approval for a protected bike lane along Dodge Avenue from Church Street to Howard Street. This project will begin in 2014 and will improve access and safety for bicyclists throughout the downtown TOD area. For more information please visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/strategic-investment/cmaq. Additionally, the City was selected as part of the 2015 RTA Community Planning Program to explore ways to create a TOD Parking Policy throughout the City. The completed policy is expected to be adopted by the City Council in fall of 2016.
In fall of 2015, the City was awarded CMAQ funding to construct covered bicycle parking at the Main Street CTA and Metra stations through the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.31.2017 |
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| + | Evanston Pace and CTA Route Access Improvements | Access to Transit Program | Pedestrian Access to Transit | Evanston | $300,481 |
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In Progress | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
This project will convert all of the bus stops in the City of Evanston from flagged to posted stops and include the installation of ADA compliant bus stop pads. In addition, this project will install shelters, pedestrian signals, truncated domes, and new and replaced sidewalk to further enhance the new bus stops. Shelters are proposed for stops with 20 average daily boardings. Current Activities
The RTA is working on drafting an IGA amendment to reflect the change in scope of the project. Consultant has been selected, the project has been awarded and work has begun on Phase II Engineering. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 03.29.2024 |
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| + | Evanston TOD Parking Regulations Update | Community Planning | TOD Zoning | Evanston | $25,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
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
Last Updated 10.24.2018 |
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| + | Evanston Transportation Center Planning Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Evanston | $99,210 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The Evanston Transportation Center Planning Study developed conceptual plans for access improvements within and between the Evanston Davis Street transit stations and the existing and planned development in downtown Evanston. Wayfinding and pedestrian access improvements were particularily emphasized as nearly half of commuters access the stations by walking. The study also recommended specific improvements at an existing bus transfer location and a review of existing bus services to assess whether it is meeting the needs of the current transit market.
Current Activities
The study was completed in August 2001. The City incorporated design recommendations from the study, including a pedestrian ramp to the Davis Station. Mixed-use development has also been built adjacent to the east and north of the Davis St. Station.
The City was selected as part of the 2015 RTA Community Planning Program to explore ways to create a TOD Parking Policy throughout the City. In May 2020 the Evanston City Council approved an 18-story, 210,000 sq. ft. office project to be located less than 1,000 feet from both the 'L' and Metra rail service, the first high-rise office building to be constructed in the city in 20 years. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 06.03.2020 |
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| + | Ford Heights Pace Route Access Improvements | Access to Transit Program | Pedestrian Access to Transit | Ford Heights | $53,628 |
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In Progress | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Not Available Description
The RTA has awarded $53,628 to the Village of Ford Heights for Phase I engineering needed to improve the sidewalk network, add concrete pads to select bus stops, and install ADA-compliant crosswalks at key intersections surrounding the Pace Route 357. The bus route runs through the center of the village and forms a loop around the future 60-acre mixed-use New Town Center development. There are currently significant gaps in the sidewalk network that connects these surrounding areas with bus stops, and most crosswalks in the area are faded and are not ADA-compliant. Current Activities
Phase I Engineering has been completed and approved by IDOT. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 03.29.2024 |
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| + | Forest Park Developer Discussion Panel | Community Planning | Developer Panel | Forest Park | $3,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The RTA coordinated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to bring in a panel of development experts to the Village to provide guidance and advice on ways the community can attract TOD investment along the Harlem Avenue corridor between the Green and Blue Line CTA stations.
Current Activities
The discussion took place on November 25th and the summary report can be found in the Study Documents section.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 11.30.2015 |
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| + | Forest Park TOD Zoning Code Update (Roosevelt & Harlem) | Community Planning | TOD Zoning | Forest Park | $20,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project assisted the Village with the development of a zoning ordinance overlay for the Harlem Avenue corridor between the Harlem / Lake Green Line CTA station and 16th Street as well as the Roosevelt Road corridor between 1st Avenue and Harlem Avenue. Both corridors have significant Pace and CTA bus service. A form-based zoning code approach was developed to enable the blending of new development and redevelopment for a mix of uses along each corridor and to accommodate and promote walkable, mixed-use development patterns. Current Activities
The final draft zoning code amendments are complete and are ready for Village Board adoption as revisions into the zoning ordinance. The RTA will monitor progress of adopting the revised zoning code amendments. In 2019, the Village Council approved zoning changes that sought to attract businesses and developers to the Village's Downtown Business District. Some of the approved changes were proposed during the zoning code update project that the Village completed in collaboration with RTA. In 2020, the Village Council approved additional modifications to the Village's zoning map. Forest Oaks, a 56-unit multi-family development that offers affordable housing for seniors, was completed in 2020. Located at 7228 Circle Avenue, Forest Oaks is adjacent to the Harlem/Lake Green Line station and is an example of the type of development that is now permitted following the Village's adoption of the zoning amendments developed during the zoning code update project.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.10.2022 |
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| + | Fox Lake Developer Discussion Panel | Community Planning | Developer Panel | Fox Lake | $3,000 |
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Completed | |||||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The RTA coordinated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to bring in a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice on ways the community can attract TOD investment in their Metra station area.
Current Activities
The Panel convened on February 10. 2015. A summary of this discussion can be found below in the Study Documents section.
Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 07.01.2019 |
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