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 Funding Source(s) Status Sort ascending
+ Park Forest Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Park Forest $3,750
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
The RTA coordinated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to bring in a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice on ways the community can attract TOD investment in their Metra station area.
Current Activities
This panel convened in June 2013 and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Study Documents below. The RTA is monitoring progress and will offer assistance with implementation as needed.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,750

Last Updated 10.07.2014

+ Elburn TOD Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Elburn $124,909
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Related 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
Source Amount
RTA $106,173
Local $18,736

Last Updated 05.22.2023

+ DuPage County Transit Plan Update Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan DuPage County $118,533
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project, sponsored by DuPage County, updated the DuPage County 2002 Transit Plan by developing a phased implementation of projects identified in the plan over a 20 year horizon.
Current Activities
The final plan is complete and was approved by the Public Transit Committee of the DuPage County Board in November 2011. The RTA, partnering with DuPage County, DuPage Mayors and Mangers, and Service Boards, launched a marketing campaign to promote transit in the County. Funded primarily through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant, the campaign intends to inform residents and employees in the county of their transit options and encourage them to ride public transportation. The campaign began in October 2014 and will continue to the end of 2015 and utilizes tactics such as billboards, online advertisements, marketing collateral (door hangers), mall displays, newspaper advertisement and community engagement.

CMAQ approved the RTA's submittal to fund 80% of the cost for local access to transit capital improvements for the Village of Glen Ellyn, as recommended in the DuPage County Transit Plan Update. The RTA has approved the local match as part of the 2014 budget. Installation of these improvements will begin in 2015.

In late 2013 the City of Aurora received CMAQ approval for the Station Blvd Extension to IL 59 Commuter Parking Lot project. This project funded Engineering and Construction for a new driveway to the IL 59 Commuter parking lot along the Metra BNSF Line, allowing for Park-n-Ride opportunities, as recommended in the DuPage County Transit Plan Update CP project. For more information please visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/strategic-investment/cmaq.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $50,000
Local $68,533

Last Updated 08.08.2017

+ Evanston Transportation Center Planning Study Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Evanston $99,210
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

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
Source Amount
RTA $69,447
Local $29,763

Last Updated 06.03.2020

+ Mount Prospect Downtown Implementation Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Mount Prospect $98,595
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description

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/.

In fall of 2015 the Village was awarded CMAQ funding for covered bicycle parking at the Mount Prospect Station via the RTA's Access to Transit Improvement Program. Extensive renovation of the station was completed in early 2017.

In March 2018 Mount Prospect took a major step towards implementation when the Village Board approved a six-story, mixed-use development on a key opportunity site identified in the plan. The '20 West' project, located at the intersection of Northwest Highway and Busse Avenue, will include 73 apartments and a two-story restaurant with 78 parking spaces on-site. It will be constructed on a parcel currently occupied by a surface parking lot, across the street from the Mount Prospect Metra station.

In April 2020 the Village approved the development of a five-story apartment building at Central Road and Main Street, two blocks north of the Metra station. The apartments are going on the site of what was once a 26,500-square-foot shopping center that featured an A & P grocery store. The building will include 97 apartment units, a 900-square-foot indoor amenity area on the fifth floor, and a 1,300-square-foot rooftop terrace.

In 2022 construction commenced to build multi-family residential units at the vacant, former Police/Fire building at 112 E. Northwest Hwy. This six-story, 88-unit mixed-use residential building is located across from the Mount Prospect Metra station.

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
Source Amount
RTA $78,876
Local $19,719

Last Updated 03.07.2022

+ Regional Transit Coordination Plan (RTCP) Service Coordination Component Mobility Management Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) $0
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation.

The focus of the service coordination component, presented to the RTA Board in May 2003, was to identify and explore options to better serve important regional travel markets requiring improved connections between components of the existing transit system. Fifteen major activity centers were identified based on total employment, social services, regional attractions, or some combination of these important trip-generating activities. Analysis confirmed that while downtown Chicago destinations are well served by transit from throughout the region, suburban and other outlying city destinations are not so well served by transit. For some targeted travel markets, the study identified minor schedule changes that would be cost-effective ways to improve service coordination. Other travel markets would require service additions, which are more costly and less likely to be cost-effective, at least on an incremental basis.

Current Activities

Specific service coordination improvements are being developed through the RTA's Community Planning and Sub-Regional Planning Programs and are being implemented through the RTA's Innovation, Coordination & Enhancement (ICE) Program.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $0

Last Updated 01.18.2023

+ Kendall Community Transit Program '08 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Capital - Operating Kendall County $900,074
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

The vehicles and operations funded by this program will be used for demand responsive paratransit service to provide door-to-door service for populations of the disabled, low income, and senior populations in the urban portions of Kendall County. The project is designed to be the first phase of a countywide general public transportation system.

Current Activities

The operating service provided 1,644 trips in April 2013. This project is complete.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $387,915
Federal $512,159

Last Updated 11.08.2021

+ Bartlett Downtown / TOD Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Bartlett $124,925
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

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
Source Amount
Local $24,985
Federal $99,940

Last Updated 11.09.2023

+ Will County Coordinated Paratransit Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Will County $99,995
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This study created a coordinated paratransit plan for the County. This included an inventory of existing paratransit services, a gap analysis based on the inventory, and identified strategies to begin the development of an action plan to implement a pilot program of a coordinated paratransit initiative.
Current Activities
The final plan was adopted by the Will County Board of Directors in November 2010 and the RTA worked with the County to implement the recommendations, including forming a Coordinated Paratransit Committee and identifying funding opportunities for a Mobility Manager.

In November 2011, the RTA Board approved funding through the Job Access Reverse Commute/New Freedom (JARC/NF) program for the Will County Mobility Management Program . This program will provide transportation and mobility management services for persons with disabilities, the elderly and low-income individuals residing in eastern Will County townships.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $79,996
Local $19,999

Last Updated 12.15.2016

+ - McHenry County Service Integration & Coordination '18-19 Section 5310 / JARC / NF Operating McHenry County $2,400,000
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description

The McRide program provides coordinated dial-a-ride service to individuals with disabilities and individuals 60 years or older.  The RTA Board approved funding for this project on August 22, 2019.

Current Activities

The operating service provided  3,385 trips in January 2021..

This project is complete.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
Local $1,200,000
Federal $1,200,000

Last Updated 11.24.2023