Planning Programs and Projects

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.

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. 

In 2012 Metra received a grant from the Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) Program for improvements to the Blue Island, Vermont Street Interagency Transfer Station. This project includes additional interagency signage at multiple locations, including both Metra stations. Additionally, the RTA chose Blue Island as part of the 2013 Community Planning Program to work with ULI to assemble a developer discussion panel to provide input, guidance and advice to the City as they work to attract TOD investment on a City-owned parcel adjacent to the 119th Street Metra station. This discussion took place on August 12, 2013 and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Related Reports link. The City is currently working to implement the recommendations from this discussion.

In addition to identifying major travel patterns and markets that could support a line extension, the study also evaluated three potential new station locations in south Evanston at Dodge Avenue, Asbury Avenue and Ridge Avenue. In May 2011, Evanston began a feasibility study for an infill station on the Yellow Line. On January 25, 2011, a city advisory group identified Asbury as the recommended new stop location. The Evanston City Council accepted the advisory group's report but funding has not yet been identified for the station's construction.