Planning Programs and Projects

This project assisted the Village with implementation efforts as recommended in their recently adopted TOD plan that was funded through the Community Planning program. A developer panel was conducted with the goal of assisting the Village with several redevelopment sites identified in the plan. Future redevelopment of these sites will capitalize on the proximity to exiting transit facilities as well as help strengthen the vitality of downtown River Grove.

This project developed a transit-oriented master plan for 2.16 acres of land located immediately adjacent to the Village's Metra station, building off recommendations in the Grand Avenue Village Center Plan completed in 2006. The plan also includes a market assessment of market-supportable densities and transit-supportive uses appropriate for this site and conceptual ideas for various other opportunity sites throughout the TOD area.

The RTA will assist the Village of Riverdale to complete a Mobility Improvement and TOD Action Plan in transit served areas of the Village. The study area includes the 138th Street corridor, Riverdale and Ivanhoe Metra Station areas, S. Halsted Street and S. Indiana Ave. The planning efforts will also incorporate special considerations for current ADA specific infrastructure needs and outline funding opportunities the Village can pursue. The goals for this study include creating specific steps to improve access to all modes of transit within the Village, enhancing safety for residents of all abilities, identifying transit-oriented development opportunities, and creating a guide to secure implementation funding for the Village.

The RTA assisted the VIllage of Riverside with an update to the Village of Riverside's Zoning Ordinance. The update reflects current development trends and is a step towards implementing the Central Business District Plan that promotes pedestrian oriented redevelopment near the Riverside Metra station while preserving the character of the downtown. The code revisions also align the zoning code along Harlem Ave in a manner that more transit friendly and is based on the recommendations of the Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan, developed by the RTA and Pace. The update also addresses zoning issues related to protecting the Village's national historic landmark designation.

The RTA and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) assisted the Village to develop the Robbins TOD and Industrial Areas Plan, which examined strategies and locations for potential redevelopment near the Village's Metra station. As part of the Robbins Stormwater Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration project conducted by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, approximately 140 acres of land near the Robbins Metra station will be removed from the floodplain, making it available for potential development. To establish a development strategy for this area, the Village embarked on the TOD and Industrial Areas Plan, which envisions a mixed-use neighborhood with a stormwater park to the north.

The RTA is assisting the Village with updating the zoning code in the southeast portion of the Village, from South Claire Boulevard to the Robbins Metra station. Code updates will allow the Village to realize the type of development envisioned in the Robbins TOD and Industrial Areas Plan, completed with support from the RTA and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.