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 | Program | Project Type Sort descending | Project Partner | Budget | Funding Source(s) | Status | |||||||
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+ | Elburn TOD Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Elburn | $124,909 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The RTA assisted the Village with developing a TOD plan for downtown Elburn and the areas near the Elburn Metra station. Plan objectives included identifying ways to unify and connect the downtown business district with the Metra station and TOD development south of the station and identifying development opportunities that support a vibrant area serving the entire village while incorporating the Metra station as a focal point of new development. Current Activities
Work on this project began in 2021 with an existing conditions analysis and a series of community engagement events and surveys. After developing a set of recommendations and implementation steps, the project team presented the draft plan at the third public workshop in April 2022. The Elburn Village Board adopted the plan as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan at their July 18 meeting after receiving a unanimous recommendation for adoption from the Planning Commission. The adopted plan is available under "Related Reports." Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.22.2023 |
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+ | Wheeling Station Area Planning Study | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Wheeling | $75,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project provided a coordinated plan for the redevelopment of the area around the Wheeling Metra Station, focusing on commercial and residential land uses. This project was completed in April 2004.
Current Activities
In 2009 the Village constructed a new Village Hall per a recommendation in the Plan and in 2014 the Village updated their zoning code to create mixed-use districts around the Metra station to allow, encourage and attract higher-density development. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.14.2024 |
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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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+ | Cary Downtown Strategic Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Cary | $107,246 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
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
Last Updated 07.21.2021 |
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+ | Mount Prospect Downtown Implementation Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Mount Prospect | $98,595 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This study built off an initial downtown strategic plan completed by the Village in 1998. The Village was successful in implementing much of that plan; this plan focused on the remaining redevelopment opportunity sites and provides recommendations to improve multi-modal access to the Metra station and the Village's downtown. Current Activities
The final plan is complete and was accepted by the Village Board in December 2013. Construction on the Founders Row rowhomes, at Central and Emerson, was completed in 2013. For more information please visit: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130321/business/703219803/. Although this site was not identified as an opportunity site in the plan, the Village approved plans in 2021 for a $26 million redevelopment of Prospect Place, located at the intersection of W Prospect Avenue, W Evergreen Avenue, and S Willie Street. This project, called 1 W Prospect, will include construction of a five-story, 80-unit building with ground floor retail. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 03.07.2022 |
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+ | Palatine TOD Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Palatine | $99,993 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
This project assisted the Village with creating a TOD Plan for the downtown area that will serves as an update to the Village 2004 Downtown Land Use Guide. This plan built upon already completed development and redevelopment in the downtown area in the 1990's and early 2000's. This Plan is a refined vision for remaining pocket areas that have potential for redevelopment and focuses on fringe areas where high-density, TOD development transitions back into more traditional, low-density land uses. Current Activities
The final TOD Plan was adopted by the Village Board on November 14, 2016 and the Village is assessing initial implementation steps it could take. In September 2018, 'Stone Garden' Single Family Homes completed construction near the Palatine Metra Station. In 2022 the Village was awarded right-of-way funding for Palatine Road improvements from Smith Street through Quentin Road identified in the plan. These improvements will include the reconstruction of Palatine Road, bike lane improvements, and associated sidewalk and pedestrian enhancements. These improvements will not only further solidify this section of Palatine Road as a western gateway into Downtown, but also greatly enhance the pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to Downtown Palatine. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.11.2023 |
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+ | Midlothian Station Area Enhancement | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Midlothian | $140,000 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
The study produced a plan for the revitalization of the station area and surrounding commercial district. Previous Village planning studies were used as input to the plan. Current Activities
The study was completed in December 2005. In November 2012 the Village met with a panel of development experts to solicit guidance and advice on ways to capitalize on redevelopment opportunities in the TOD study area. A summary of this discussion can be found under Related Reports. In early 2019 the RTA applied for and was awarded CMAQ funding a second time on behalf of the Village to construct pedestrian access improvements for southern access to the Midlothian Metra station. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 02.02.2023 |
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+ | Berwyn Transit-Oriented Master Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Berwyn | $95,391 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
This project produced a transit-oriented development plan for the three Berwyn Metra station areas along the Metra BNSF rail corridor between Harlem Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue: LaVergne, Berwyn and Harlem Ave. Current Activities
The final plan was adopted by the City Council in November 2008. In the same year the City constructed a shared parking deck on Grove Avenue for their downtown using a combination of local and federal funds. They are also currently in talks with developers to develop key pieces of property within their TOD area. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 01.19.2023 |
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+ | Homewood Downtown TOD Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Homewood | $131,085 |
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In Progress | |||||||
Project DetailsRelated Reports
Description
The RTA assisted the Village of Homewood to prepare a transit-oriented development plan for downtown Homewood and areas surrounding the Homewood Metra and Amtrak station. Leveraging the ongoing station renovations, the goals of the planning study included identifying strategies to attract investment and development, retaining existing character/historic preservation, and increasing access to transit services in the downtown. With a locally-driven planning vision, the plan presents strategies and projects to foster Downtown population growth, identify new uses for vacant buildings, increase transit ridership, and increase the number of people visiting and spending time in Downtown Homewood. Current Activities
Work on the project began in April 2023 with creation of a Steering Committee and the development of an existing conditions analysis. The project team completed a series of public engagement events in June and July to gather input from residents and stakeholders and inform the Plan’s recommendations, resulting in a recommendations memo and a draft plan document. Following a series of draft plan work and review sessions with Village staff, the project Steering Committee, and staff from Pace and Metra, the plan was revised and presented to the Village's Planning and Zoning Commission. The plan was reviewed by the Village Board of Trustees and adopted as an amendment to the Village's Comprehensive Plan at their April 23, 2024 meeting. You can read the final plan in the "Related Reports" section. Funding Amounts by Source
Last Updated 05.08.2024 |
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+ | Bartlett Downtown / TOD Plan | Community Planning | Transit-Oriented Development Plan | Bartlett | $124,925 |
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Completed | |||||||
Project DetailsDescription
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
Last Updated 11.09.2023 |