Jefferson Park Starting Work on Neighborhood Master Plan

March 14, 2017

RTA Funding and Support will help neighborhood set direction for area surrounding Jefferson Park Transit Center

CHICAGO –The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is pleased to report that Chicago’s Jefferson Park community has announced plans to develop transit supportive master plan to enhance the area surrounding the community’s Transit Center, thanks in part to funding from the RTA. The community is located on the northwest side of the City of Chicago.

The Plan will review the existing conditions of the neighborhood’s transportation infrastructure, policies and operations and find ways to improve rider access to public transportation, while promoting sustainable, economic development in the area. Funding for the $125,000 plan is made up of $80,000 from federal Unified Work Program (UWP) funds; $20,000 from the RTA’s Community Planning program; and $25,000 from the City of Chicago. The plan is expected to be completed late this year.

"The RTA is pleased to collaborate with the City of Chicago and the Jefferson Park community on this effort by providing funds and technical assistance toward the development of this Plan,” said Leanne Redden, RTA Executive Director.  "

“The hundreds of ideas brought into the Master Plan will get residents and businesses even more excited about our great neighborhood," said Alderman John Arena, 45th Ward, where the transit center is located.

The project team will collect data and public input to help determine what enhancements may be recommended for the area. Information will be collected through stakeholder interviews and public workshops that will focus on the public’s opinion about potential redevelopment and pedestrian access improvement for the area.

The Plan will ultimately make recommendations to guide the City in enhancing the area surrounding the Transit Center, which is served by all three transit agencies: CTA rail and bus, Metra rail and Pace bus.  Recommendations may include options for residential, commercial and retail development and improvements to pedestrian, bicycle, public transit and vehicular circulation around the transit center.

This is one of many transit-oriented development planning and implementation projects funded through the RTA’s Community Planning Program. To date, the program has completed more than 100 transit-oriented development and implementation plans since the late 1990’s using a combination of RTA, local and federal funds, totaling nearly $10 million.

For more information about the RTA’s Community Planning program, visit the RTA website.