Planning Programs and Projects

The original TOD study was updated by the City of Elmhurst in 2006 and continues to foster residential, commercial, and retail development in the downtown area. A six-story mixed use development is currently under construction at 100 N. Addison in downtown Elmhurst. This development has 11,000 square feet of first floor commercial space with 165 residential apartment units above the commercial spaces. This development is located adjacent to the Metra station in downtown Elmhurst. Completed in 2019. 

Elmhurst also secured grant funding to reconstruct its downtown Metra station. The work scope included reconstruction of the inbound and outbound platform, a new pedestrian tunnel at York Street and designated bus and vehicle drop-off lanes to reduce localized vehicular congestion. This $18 million project began in the summer of 2019.

In 2010, the City completed construction of a five-story, 253-space parking deck to serve downtown patrons and Metra commuters at First Street and Larch Avenue. In addition, a new parking deck with street-level commercial was built at Schiller Street and Palmer Drive as well as a traditional parking deck at Addison Road and Adelaide Street. 

In 2016 the City opened a 6-story, 690-space parking deck at Addison Avenue and 2nd Street with ground-floor retail, serving downtown customers and employees. Elmhurst 255, a 188-unit residential rental project was completed in 2016, amenities include 12,000SF ground level retail and a public event plaza.

Construction completed in 2020 of Foxford Station, a 28 unit condominium development with 3,800 square feet of ground-floor commercial space at Wolf Road and Burlington, across the street from the Metra station.

A developer plans to break ground in the fall of 2022 on a 10-unit condominium development on Hillgrove Ave., between Franklin and Howard Avenues.

The RTA will continue to monitor progress and offer assistance as needed.

This project was completed in January 2005. Per a recommendation in the plan, the Village enhanced the streetscape along 7th Street in the TOD area in 2010 with funding assistance from ITEP. Currently, the Village is exploring ways to market their harbor and adjacent proximity to Lake Michigan as a destination and development opportunity for condos, hotel and retail. The Village was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program for assistance revising their zoning code in the TOD area. This project began in April 2013 and new TOD area zoning regulations were adopted in May 2014. The adopted regulations can be found here.

The Plan was adopted by the Town Board on November 11, 2014. The Town has initiated some implementation efforts by securing technical assistance in 2018 from the RTA to amend the Town Zoning ordinance. 

In 2021 the Chicago Transit Authority was awarded funds for design engineering to improve the at-grade crossing of the Pink Line with Cicero Avenue. As identified in the plan, the condition of the roadway and the protective rubber boots at the crossing have deteriorated over time, creating hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians. In addition, the signal system, roadway, and pedestrian gate mechanisms at the grade crossing will be upgraded. The CTA will work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to make these critical system improvements. Changes to this grade crossing are a priority due to several safety incidents at the crossing that have put CTA staff and passengers at potential risk.