Planning Programs and Projects

Specific physical 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.

In 2009 the Village constructed a new Village Hall per a recommendation in the Plan and in 2014 the Village updated their zoning code to create mixed-use districts around the Metra station to allow, encourage and attract higher-density development.

In 2008, the Village acquired the 11-acre Wickes furniture site just north/northeast of the Metra station which was developed as the Wheeling Town Center featuring over 300 apartments and 100,000 square feet of retail. It is anchored by a dinner theater, and restaurants ranging from fast-casual to elegant dining. In 2019 the Town Center won the Cisco's Development of the Year Award.

A 288-unit luxury, multi-family development called Northgate Crossings, located at Dundee Road within walking distance of the Wheeling Metra station was completed in fall of 2016. This project was designed to appeal to young professionals, empty nesters and corporate transferees interested in a walkable, transit-served suburban location near dining and entertainment. 

Uptown 500 is a $90 million, transit-oriented, master-planned, mixed-use development was constructed on the northwest corner of Dundee Road and Northgate Parkway across the street from the Wheeling Town Center. Uptown 500, completed in 2020, features 321 luxury apartment units and 10,500 square feet of retail space within walking distance of the Wheeling Metra Station and the nearly 100-acre Heritage Park operated by the Wheeling Park District. 

The study was completed in January 2004. The Village was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects for assistance with developer recruitment and solicitation of opportunities in the TOD study area. A panel of development experts met in December 2012 to discuss redevelopment opportunities in the TOD area. A Summary of this discussion can be found in the Related Reports section. 

In late November 2011, it was announced that the West Cook County Housing Collaborative received a nearly $3 million grant for its transit-oriented development strategy to update comprehensive plans and to create a sustainable transit-oriented development fund for the communities of Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maywood and Oak Park. In 2019 the Housing Authority of Cook County constructed nine rental units in three multi-family apartment buildings reserved for disabled low-income renters, located on 5th Avenue, south of the Study Area.

In July 2019 the Village Board approved the development of a mixed-use residential building with Interfaith Housing at 820 S. 5th Ave. The development includes 72 units of affordable housing over 4,500 square feet of ground floor retail space.

In 2016 the Maywood Fine Arts Association completed the Stairway of the Stars Dance Studio in downtown Maywood on 5th Avenue just north of Lake Street. The studio is used for dance classes, fitness activities and special events.

The Village also received a $1.2 million CMAQ grant to construct a new station facility at the Maywood Metra station, which opened in 2017. Matching funds came from the Village's Fifth Avenue TIF District.

The Village was chosen again to complete an update of the TOD plan in 2019. The TOD Plan Update was adopted in 2021 and can be found in the Related Reports. Maywood is currently working on a zoning code update that is also sponsored through the RTA's Community Planning Program.

The study was completed in October, 2002 however, the Village received funding in 2016 from SSMMA to complete and update of the TOD Plan to take into account changes in market conditions as well as availability of affordable housing. In 2012, the Village was part of a Homes for a Changing Region report that explored regional and state strategies to address imbalances in northeastern Illinois' housing stock. Also involved were the Villages of Lansing, Olympia Fields and Park Forest with the RTA providing support as needed. This report recommends that Hazel Crest focus on rehabilitating existing housing stock and prioritize infill development around the Metra station area and along key corridors by revising zoning regulations to allow for higher densities. Click here for more information. 

In 2020 Metra completed a $3.5 million renovation of the Hazel Crest Metra station. The Village is working to ensure the new station will continue to be a catalyst for new development and investment.

This project was completed in April 2004. The creation of a Southwest TMA was recommended within this study, which was evaluated in a subsequent study by the RTA found at https://rtams.org/projects/planning/2813. 

In July of 2011, an RFP was released and proposals sought for the Southwest Will TMA Implementation and Travel Demand Study by the Joliet Arsenal Development Study and the City of Joliet.