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 Sort descending Budget Funding Source(s) Status
+ DuPage Area Transit Plan Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan DuPage Mayors & Managers $277,245
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description

This study was conducted by the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference in cooperation with DuPage County. The DuPage Area Transit Plan included both a short term and long range transit plan for the County. Throughout the development of the plan stakeholders from the county including elected officials, county and local community staff, and area residents were engaged through an extensive grass roots public involvement process to provide input into the plan. This process resulted in the identification of quality of life issues with respect to the provision and availability of transit service in the County.

Current Activities

The plan was completed in August 2002. The RTA also funded an update to this study. Please visit https://rtams.org/projects/planning/2746 for more information on the updated study. In 2013 the Village of Glen Ellyn was awarded CMAQ program funds, via the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program for multi-modal access improvements to Pace Route 301, which was a recommendation made in the DuPage Area Transit Plan.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $150,778
Federal $126,467

Last Updated 02.13.2024

+ Antioch Downtown Land Use and Transit Implementation Strategy Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Antioch $99,708
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
After the Village completed several transit-oriented development studies for their Metra Station area, this project revised the zoning ordinance to a form-based code, and will be utilized to regulate all future development in the TOD area.The final report was presented to the Village Board in March and the form-based code was adopted on October 17, 2011.
Current Activities
The Village was awarded a $200,000 US-EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant in 2013 to begin identifying and assessing underused land, blighted properties and former industrial sites in the TOD area. For more information please visit: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130304/news/703049913/. The RTA will provide support and assistance as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79,766
Local $19,942

Last Updated 06.08.2017

+ Justice Transit Improvement Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Justice $67,410
  • RTA
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project, completed in 2007, assessed the market for improved transit service in the Village.
Current Activities
The Village of Justice has installed sidewalks along 79th Street from 88th Avenue to Roberts Road, and on Roberts Road from 79th Street to 87th Street. Two new bus shelters, four new benches, and two crosswalks have been added to improve access to Pace buses along 79th Street. Additionally, the Village has applied for Safe Routes to Schools funds for additional sidewalk improvements.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $6,741
Local $6,741
Federal $53,928

Last Updated 09.14.2017

+ Maywood Pace Route and Metra Station Access Improvements Access to Transit Program Pedestrian Access to Transit Maywood $44,000
  • RTA
In Progress

Project Details

Related Reports
Description

The RTA has awarded $44,000 to the Village of Maywood for Phase I engineering needed for a covered bicycle shelter near the 5th Avenue Metra station served by the Union Pacific West line, heated bus shelters along 5th Avenue as served by Pace, wayfinding signage for the train station, and pavement marking improvements.

Current Activities

3/29/24: Maywood has completed the QBS process and will be making a recommendation to the Village Board for the Engineering Firm at the April 2nd meeting. Once awarded, Phase II Engineering can begin.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $44,000

Last Updated 03.29.2024

+ Maywood Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Maywood $3,500
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
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
This panel convened in December 2012 and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Study Documents section. The RTA is monitoring progress and will offer assistance with implementation as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,500

Last Updated 06.13.2017

+ Maywood TOD Plan Update Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Maywood $65,012
  • RTA
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description

This project updated the station area plan for the area surrounding the Maywood Metra commuter rail station with a focus along the 5th Avenue and Lake Street downtown business corridors within a quarter mile of the station. The plan will assist the Village with strategies for redevelopment in the downtown core and identifies recommendations to improve access to transit services and other transportation improvements.

Current Activities

The Maywood Village Board adopted the plan in May 2020 and in the spring of 2021 the RTA awarded technical assistance to the Village to update the zoning code as recommended in the plan.

The RTA will continue to monitor and support implementation efforts of the Village.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $11,762
Local $3,250
Federal $50,000

Last Updated 05.18.2021

+ Maywood TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Maywood $30,000
  • RTA
In Progress

Project Details

Related Reports
Description

The RTA is assisting the Village of Maywood to amend the Village’s Zoning Code in the downtown area as recommended in the Maywood TOD Plan Update, completed through the RTA’s Community Planning program in 2020. Code updates will foster the type of development envisioned in the plan, address current parking in downtown Maywood, and respond to the historic nature of the area. The project’s focus area includes Lake Street and 5th Avenue.

Current Activities

This project began in 2023 with a series of community engagement events to gather input from the public on potential amendments. These included stakeholder interviews, a public open house, and an elected/appointed officials roundtable discussion with the Maywood Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals. Based on Village staff review of initial recommendations, the project team developed draft zoning amendments for Village consideration. Village staff and relevant committees are currently reviewing the draft amendments. The draft amendments will be refined during spring 2024, with anticipated adoption in the summer.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $30,000

Last Updated 04.29.2024

+ Maywood Station Area Planning Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Maywood $88,368
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
The Maywood station area planning project developed a plan for revitalizing the downtown core and improving pedestrian and vehicular access in the station area. The station area plan was developed in concert with a new Village comprehensive plan.
Current Activities

The study was completed in January 2004. The Village was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects for assistance with developer recruitment and solicitation of opportunities in the TOD study area. A panel of development experts met in December 2012 to discuss redevelopment opportunities in the TOD area. A Summary of this discussion can be found in the Related Reports section. 

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. In 2019 the Housing Authority of Cook County constructed nine rental units in three multi-family apartment buildings reserved for disabled low-income renters, located on 5th Avenue, south of the Study Area.

In July 2019 the Village Board approved the development of a mixed-use residential building with Interfaith Housing at 820 S. 5th Ave. The development includes 72 units of affordable housing over 4,500 square feet of ground floor retail space.

In 2016 the Maywood Fine Arts Association completed the Stairway of the Stars Dance Studio in downtown Maywood on 5th Avenue just north of Lake Street. The studio is used for dance classes, fitness activities and special events.

The Village also received a $1.2 million CMAQ grant to construct a new station facility at the Maywood Metra station, which opened in 2017. Matching funds came from the Village's Fifth Avenue TIF District.

The Village was chosen again to complete an update of the TOD plan in 2019. The TOD Plan Update was adopted in 2021 and can be found in the Related Reports. Maywood is currently working on a zoning code update that is also sponsored through the RTA's Community Planning Program.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $17,620
Federal $70,748

Last Updated 02.14.2024

+ Cary TOD Developer Dialogue Community Planning Developer Panel Cary $3,500
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

The RTA provided assistance to the Village in soliciting guidance and advice from development experts through a half-day discussion panel. This panel discussed the development climate and potential strategies to prepare for and attract development to specific parcels near the Cary Metra station. The Final Report is attached.

Current Activities

RTA staff has developed a final report and delivered it to the Village of Cary.  This project is complete.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,500

Last Updated 04.28.2023

+ Cary Downtown Strategic Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Cary $107,246
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This RTA assisted the Village of Cary in the creation of the Downtown Cary Strategic Plan, a transit-oriented development plan for the area generally located within a half mile of the Cary Metra station. Particular attention was given to properties located within the first quarter mile of the station and the plan details a vision for downtown with a focus on future land use and infrastructure improvements that will help to strengthen the inner core of the community and encourage private reinvestment near the station.

Current Activities

The Downtown Cary Strategic Plan was adopted by the Cary Village Board on June 15, 2021. The RTA will monitor for initial plan implementation. 

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $21,449
Federal $85,797

Last Updated 07.21.2021