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 Budget Sort descending Funding Source(s) Status
+ Westmont Transit-Oriented Development Opportunity Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Westmont $40,000
  • RTA
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

The Westmont Transit-Oriented Development Opportunity Study identified mixed-use redevelopment opportunities in the Metra station area. The study recommended the development of mid-rise medium density housing within the station area. In addition, the study addressed improved transit access to the station area and along Cass Avenue in the vicinity of the station.

Current Activities

The study was completed in September 2000. Over the past 10 years, Westmont has built a new Village Hall & Police and Fire Department facility, a new Library, updated their Metra Station and built a new community park and fountain. Additionally, the Village installed new decorative streetscapes and a community sound system which provides background music and community announcements to enhance the pedestrian friendliness of the area.

Westmont was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects to update their zoning regulations their TOD study area to include transit-supportive regulations. Although the TOD regulations developed during the project have yet to be adopted, the Village Board did adopt a new zoning map on March 15, 2018. The proposed regulations developed during this project continue to be used as guidelines for downtown projects in the Village.

Quincy Station, a 5-story mixed use building was completed in spring of 2022.  Located at the intersection of South Cass Avenue and West Quincy Street, this mixed-use, multi-family residential building features 94 residential units and a ground floor retail/commercial space. 

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $20,000
Federal $20,000

Last Updated 02.13.2024

+ Tinley Park Station Area Plans Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Tinley Park $40,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project developed plans for two commuter rail station areas in the Village of Tinley Park, the Oak Park Avenue Station located in the downtown and the 80th Avenue station located southwest of the downtown. For the Oak Park Avenue Station, the project identified mixed-use redevelopment opportunities to revitalize the commercial core surrounding the station. The 80th Avenue Station scope of work focused on civic uses, expanded parking, and improved access to the station. The study was completed in September 1998.

Current Activities

A new station was rebuilt between 2002-2005 at the Oak Park Avenue stop on the Rock Island Line that includes a café and a clock tower with 360° views of the station area. Additionally, a new station at the 80th Avenue stop opened in the Spring of 2012.

The Village was selected for inclusion in the 2014 Community Planning Program of Projects for a Developer / Financial Advisory Panel. The Panel convened on October 14th, 2014 and a summary report of the discussion can be found below under "Related Studies".

Among the short-term goals is to expand Zabrocki Plaza, immediately east of the Oak Park Avenue Metra station, to increase space for activities that draw people into the downtown, and at the same time to showcase the downtown's amenities to people from outside Tinley Park. Because any expansion would impact parking spaces in the Metra lot, the village would have to make up for those lost spaces elsewhere near the station, and discussions with Metra about that have been ongoing.

'The Boulevard' - a mixed use project consisting of 165 units and 29,853 sq. ft of commercial space at South St and 67th Ave, was approved for construction in September 2018 and completed in 2021.

The Village of Tinley Park recently announced it is partnering with a developer that has acquired the final parcel of property needed to move forward with construction of Harmony Square, a new multi-use plaza that will be located at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and North Street in Downtown Tinley.

The Village also secured funding for a new traffic light at 80th Avenue and Timber Drive to help control traffic in the Metra station area.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $40,000

Last Updated 02.13.2024

+ Geneva Financing District Community Planning TOD Funding District Geneva $40,000
  • RTA
Programmed

Project Details

Description

The RTA is assisting the City of Geneva with establishing a special financing district to implement recommendations contained in the Downtown Station-Area Master Plan. An existing Special Service Area (SSA) is in place but set to expire in 2023. The RTA will assist the City to determine whether to extend and expand the scope of the SSA and/or create a different funding source, funding generated from which would work to implement plan recommendations.

Current Activities

The RTA has awarded the project to Transystems. Existing conditions and background data analysis is being conducted. Steering committee will be formed and engaged in May.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $40,000

Last Updated 04.29.2024

+ Robbins TOD Zoning Code Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Robbins $40,000
  • RTA
In Progress

Project Details

Description

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.

Current Activities

The project kicked off in January 2024 with an analysis of the Village's existing zoning regulations for Village staff review. The project team is currently developing draft zoning code amendments for review and consideration by Village staff.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $40,000

Last Updated 04.29.2024

+ University Park Special Financing District Community Planning TOD Funding District University Park $40,000
  • RTA
Programmed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description

The RTA will provide assistance to the Village of University Park with identifying a financial strategy to implement the recommendations contained in their newly completed TOD Plan. The RTA will assist the Village with analyzing the plan recommendations, reviewing funding and financing options to spur investment, and recommend a financial strategy that will position the Village for future development at the University Park Metra station.

Current Activities

The project contract has been awarded to Transystems. A steering committee kickoff meeting was held in April. Work continues on existing conditions and background data analysis.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $40,000

Last Updated 04.29.2024

+ - Ray Graham Comprehensive Transportation Program (Mobility Management) Section 5310 / JARC / NF Mobility Management Ray Graham Association $43,252
  • Federal
  • Local
Programmed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

Mobility Management portion of the Ray Graham Transportation program. Individuals with disabilities are transported from their homes to Community Learning Centers and a variety of other activities including grocery shopping, medical appointments, volunteer opportunities and recreational activities. Service is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This is an existing Section 5310 operating project.

Current Activities

This project was approved by the RTA Board at the September 2023 meeting.


 

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Federal $34,602
Local $8,650

Last Updated 01.17.2024

+ RGAs Safety Transportation Training Program '08 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Mobility Management Ray Graham Association $43,406
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
The project will assess and provide training to the disabled and older adults to improve their ability to utilize transportation services.
Current Activities
Since the project's inception in September 2009 through June 2014, the project received 498 referrals with 454 participants having completed training. This project is complete
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $8,681
Federal $34,725

Last Updated 06.13.2019

+ Kane County Transit Opportunity Assessment Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Kane County $43,736
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
The Kane County Transit Opportunity Assessment evaluated the existing and potential transit market in the County. The study includes recommendations for further assessing opportunities for transit service in five sub-regions or markets of the County as identified by the study. Two corridors are also identified as candidates for transit services and transit supportive land use planning.
Current Activities

This study was completed in September 2002. In 2009 the RTA funded an update to this study; please visit https://rtams.org/projects/planning/2745 for more information.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $16,736
Federal $27,000

Last Updated 02.13.2024

+ 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

+ Lake County Route 60 and Route 22 Corridor Shuttle Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan TMA of Lake Cook $45,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
This study examined opportunities to improve mobility in the Route 60 and 22 corridors in Lake County by implementing shuttle bus connections to commuter rail service. The corridors include three Metra rail lines: the North Central Line, the Milwaukee District North Line, and the Union Pacific North Line. The study focused on patterning service after the successful "Shuttle Bug" routes serving Lake-Cook Road and Braeside. The partners included the RTA, the Transportation Management Association of Lake-Cook, Metra, Pace, and major employers from the corridors.
Current Activities
The study was completed in August 2000. Per recommendations in the plan, Lake Forest Shuttle Bug route #625 was implemented along Route 60 in 2001 to connect HSBC employees in Mettawa to the Lake Forest Metra Stations on the UP-N and Milwaukee North lines. Also, Shuttle Bug Route #622/12 was implemented in 2000 to service Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Leica Microsystems in Lake Forest and Bannockburn, respectively, to connect to the Milwaukee North line in Deerfield.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $45,000

Last Updated 02.28.2013