Planning Programs and Projects

The services provided 2,326 trips in October 2017. This project is complete.

The panel of development experts met in June 2021 for the 1/2 day workshop with the Village. The report of recommendations was published in September 2021 and is available under "Related Reports".

Project completed.

The study was completed in September 2003. A new station on the CTA Yellow Line opened in April 2012 at Oakton Street, using a combination of CMAQ and local funds. The station experienced increasing ridership, with average weekday boardings between 800-900. Additionally, Skokie received Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) funding through the RTA in 2009 to complement the new Oakton Street Station. Improvements included bus stops, taxi access lanes, pedestrian walkways, shared vehicle lanes, kiss and ride, and bicycle parking. In August 2014 a 20-unit single family home development called Floral Avenue broke ground less than 1/2 mile from the Oakton Street station.

The Village pursued redevelopment opportunities in the station area and near the Illinois Science + Technology Park and was selected by the RTA as part of the 2015 Community Planning Program to convene a panel of development experts to offer guidance and advice to the Village as they work to attract TOD investment and understand innovative financing techniques for potential development in the Oakton Street station area. The Village entered into a public-private partnership in 2018 for the construction of a 12-story, 153 unit residential development at 8000 N. Lincoln, five blocks west of the Oakton CTA station. The development, known as the Highpoint at 8000 North, began leasing in 2022.

In 2016, the Village was warded CMAQ funding for an RTA sponsored Access to Transit project for CTA rail bicycle parking at the Oakton station. This project has not yet been completed.

The final plan was approved by the City Council in December 2014.

In July 2016, zoning approval was granted for Fox River Crossing, an affordable senior housing development with 60 apartment units, at the northwest corner of Route 31 and Lawrence. In September of 2017 the developers of Fox River Crossing received federal low income tax credits, which are passed on as below market rents for seniors.

The renovation of Elgin's historic Tower Building, a 22-unit apartment building at the corner of E. Chicago Street and N. Grove Avenue in Downtown Elgin was completed at the end of 2017. Apartments units are currently available to rent.

During 2016 and 2017 the City continued with streetscape improvements along Chicago Street including the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk linking the Metra station with the Pace Transportation Center. In addition, in the summer of 2018 RTA interagency signage will be installed within and adjacent to the station areas to assist passengers making bus and train transfer connections.

Two mixed-use developments, Fountain Square on the River (200 residential units) and River Park Place (180 residential units) were recently built. A downtown festival park was also built and a bike path extension is planned.