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
+ Maywood TOD Plan Update Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Maywood $65,012
  • RTA
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports
Description

This project updated the station area plan for the area surrounding the Maywood Metra commuter rail station with a focus along the 5th Avenue and Lake Street downtown business corridors within a quarter mile of the station. The plan will assist the Village with strategies for redevelopment in the downtown core and identifies recommendations to improve access to transit services and other transportation improvements.

Current Activities

The Maywood Village Board adopted the plan in May 2020 and in the spring of 2021 the RTA awarded technical assistance to the Village to update the zoning code as recommended in the plan.

The RTA will continue to monitor and support implementation efforts of the Village.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $11,762
Local $3,250
Federal $50,000

Last Updated 05.18.2021

+ North Central Service Analysis and Implementation Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan Mundelein $125,000
  • RTA
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description
This study created a coordinated sub-regional investment plan framework focused on the communities served by the Metra North Central Service. Project initiatives identified planned enhancements to the line and service enhancements preferred by existing riders, outlined implementation strategies, identified traditional and non-traditional funding sources for infrastructure improvements, and provided parameters for legal authority to move forward.
Current Activities
The project was completed in February of 2020 and adopted by the Mundelein Village Board in April of 2020. The RTA, Village and the Lake County Transportation Alliance are identifying a strategy to move forward with recommendations of the plan.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $50,000
Local $25,000
Federal $50,000

Last Updated 05.01.2020

+ Robbins TOD Plan Update Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Robbins $25,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

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.

Current Activities

The Robbins Board of Trustees adopted the Robbins TOD and Industrial Areas Plan at their February 28, 2023 meeting. The adopted plan can be found in "Related Reports."

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $25,000

Last Updated 01.03.2024

+ Winthrop Harbor Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Winthrop Harbor $3,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
To further advance the recommendations of the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan that was created in 2005 the RTA partnered with the Village to convene a developer discussion panel. The panel of developers provided guidance to the Village on how to attract development/redevelopment opportunities in their TOD area.
Current Activities
The Developer Panel was held on October in coordination with the Village, the Urban Land Institute and the RTA. The RTA will continue to monitor for any implementation activities and will support implementation as it is able to.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,000

Last Updated 12.12.2019

+ Chicago - Jefferson Park Station Area Master Plan Community Planning Transit-Oriented Development Plan Chicago $125,000
  • RTA
  • Local
  • Federal
Completed

Project Details

Description

This project assisted the City of Chicago in creating a comprehensive, station area master plan for the Jefferson Park neighborhood in the vicinity of the Jefferson Park Transit Center. This plan developed recommendations for transit access improvements and transit-supportive land uses that will complement the renovated Jefferson Park Transit Center, which facilitates CTA Rail and Bus, Metra Rail and Pace Bus service.

Current Activities

The plan was reviewed and adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission on December 20, 2018. The CTA completed station renovation work in 2019. The RTA further supported implementation activities by convening a panel of developer experts in June of 2021 to provide detailed guidance to attract infill redevelopment along Milwaukee Avenue.

During the summer of 2021 the People's Alley identified in the plan will be constructed in the alley between 4870 N Milwaukee and 5438 W Higgins. The alley will feaure a pedestrian plaza, new pavers, decorative overhead lights, seating and an identifying arch at the entrance.

In January of 2021 Chicago's City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate unanimously voted to approve the sale of the property at 4841 N. Lipps Ave., formerly the Jefferson Park Firehouse, to a developer with plans to convert it into a mixed used development, with a first floor brewery with residential units on the upper floors.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $20,000
Local $25,000
Federal $80,000

Last Updated 07.23.2021

+ CTA Bus Corridor Slow Zone Improvement Initiatives Community Planning Corridor Planning Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) $318,595
  • RTA
  • Local
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project developed recommendations to improve the speed and reliability of service on two CTA bus corridors, a 7.9-mile section of Chicago Avenue and a 10-mile section of 79th Street. Data analysis was conducted to identify slow zones along both corridors and identify solutions to improve the speed of service in those zones. The recommendations include concept designs, and an implementation plan for the CTA and partner agencies.
Current Activities
Final reports for both corridors were completed in the summer of 2018 and are linked below in Study Documents. The City has budgeted funds to make a number of the recommended improvements along the corridors. The first intersection to be reconfigured in 2019 was Chicago/Milwaukee/Ogden, with additional Chicago Ave. corridor work completed in 2019. The City was also awarded Invest in Cook funding from the Cook County Department of transportation to begin building some of the improvements recommended for the 79th Street corridor. In October 2019 Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced the City of Chicago will devote $20 million in new funding for the Bus Priority Zone Program designed to improve bus travel times and make service more reliable on seven core routes.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $254,876
Local $63,719

Last Updated 06.03.2020

+ Des Plaines TOD Developer Dialogue - Downtown Community Planning Developer Panel Des Plaines $3,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description

Staff from the City of Des Plaines met with development professionals to conduct a discussion panel on their study area. This involved the local planners acquiring advice, guidance, and feedback on the City's plans and goals for future redevelopment opportunities.

Current Activities

The developer discussion was held on December 6, 2016. A report summarizing the recommendations made by the panelists is included under Related Reports.

As recommended in the report, the City purchased the Des Plaines Theater in 2018 with the intent to renovate and reopen the 95-year old destination. The newly renovated opened to the public again in late summer 2021.

Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,000

Last Updated 04.28.2023

+ DuPage Last Mile Transit Planning Study Community Planning Transit Improvement Plan DuPage County Division of Transportation $0
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
This project assisted DuPage County in developing options to improve transit connections to major employment centers in the County, with a focus on first and last mile transportation gaps with existing transit services. The ultimate goal of the project was to improve commuting options and access to jobs for those commuting to and within the County.
Current Activities
The final report, completed in the summer of 2017, identifies ways to improve transit connectivity and enhance the reach of the transit network in DuPage County. RTA is monitoring future implementation efforts by the County.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $0

Last Updated 10.17.2017

+ Morton Grove Developer Discussion Panel Community Planning Developer Panel Morton Grove $3,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Description
A developer panel was held to provide advice, guidance and feedback on Village plans and goals to attract TOD investment on key redevelopment parcels throughout the Metra station area.
Current Activities
The developer discussion was held on September 30, 2016. A report summarizing the recommendations made by the panelists is included below.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $3,000

Last Updated 12.12.2019

+ Morton Grove TOD Zoning Update Community Planning TOD Zoning Morton Grove $25,000
  • RTA
Completed

Project Details

Related Reports

Not Available

Description
This project assisted the Village with the creation of revised zoning regulations to encourage, attract and allow TOD investment in areas near the Morton Grove Metra station. Previous to the update the zoning code did not reflect current market demands or development patterns, nor did it always allow the types of development the Village envisions in the Metra station TOD area.
Current Activities
The Village Board adopted the code amendments in December 2018. The RTA will monitor for success of the revised zoning code.
Funding Amounts by Source
Source Amount
RTA $25,000

Last Updated 12.12.2019