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RTA Grant to Fund Transit-Oriented Development Plan in Marengo |
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City begins laying the groundwork for the potential arrival of transit
Chicago -- The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) announced today the launch of a planning study centered on the City of Marengo’s western corridor. The study will provide a transit-oriented development land use plan for the surrounding area. The City received a $100,000 grant to fund the study through the RTA’s 2007 Regional Technical Assistance Program, a grant program that has since been renamed the Community Planning program to better reflect the program’s focus on planning assistance for local communities.
“This program is motivating communities around our region to look to the future by putting the necessary guidelines in place today – to maximize land-use with transit,” commented Leanne Redden, Senior Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Regional Programs. “The plan being developed will help guide the City of Marengo’s community investment in the station area while at the same time making the best use of our region’s transit assets.”
Work has already begun on developing the plan that will study the area from the east at Ritz/Meyer roads and the railroad tracks to the north, and from west and south at Thorn Road and Pleasant Grove Road, respectively. The current site of the potential transit station is largely undeveloped allowing the City the ability to plan for a potential location for a transit station and create transit-oriented development guidelines for future development. The study will identify a mix of potential residential, commercial and industrial uses that is walkable and at higher densities to support future transit service.
“With the price of gas in flux, access to transit grows more and more important to our community and to connecting us with the greater northeastern Illinois region,” commented Mayor Donald Lockhart, City of Marengo. He added, “We have the opportunity to truly influence the role transit will play in our community and how it will impact our quality of life.”
By formulating a transit-oriented development plan now, Marengo will be better able to preserve the land needed for a transit station and develop the surrounding area in manner that can build potential ridership to support transit service.
The study will also propose an implementation plan as well as provide recommendations as to how the potential transit station and surrounding area can be integrated with the City’s downtown. The study will also incorporate a potential multi-modal transportation network, including potential station area ingress and egress for vehicles, buses, pedestrians and bicyclists. A possible connection from the proposed station area to the McHenry County Conservation District, Huntley, Union, and the Marengo (H.U.M.) bike trail will also be explored.
The RTA is continuing to work with Illinois lawmakers to develop and pass a comprehensive capital plan that would enable the transit system to be maintained, enhanced and expanded.
About the Community Planning program
The Community Planning program provides funding and planning assistance to communities for planning projects that benefit both the local communities and the RTA transit system. Launched in 1999 under the name Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP), the program was renamed and launched as Community Planning in June 2008 to better reflect the program’s focus on planning assistance for local communities.
Community Planning offers units of local government such as municipalities, townships, and local planning agencies an opportunity to participate in the planning of local transit and transit related opportunities. The program funds projects that increase transit usage and multi-modal connectivity, improve access and circulation in and around transit facilities, promote pedestrian and transit friendly environments, develop local transit options and create coordinated paratransit plans.
Through this program, the RTA seeks projects that are consistent with the four primary goals of its strategic plan, provide transportation options, ensure financial viability, enhance livability and economic vitality, and demonstrate value. For more information, visit the program website at www.rtachicago.com/cp.
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