RTA Awards Nine Community Planning Projects
October 27, 2017
October 27, 2017
CHICAGO - The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is announcing the award of nine projects through its Community Planning program. The RTA will allocate $566,000 to these projects, made up of approximately $350,000 of federal funding; $58,000 in locally matched funds and $158,000 of RTA funds. These dollars will support innovative projects to improve economic development near transit and increase transit usage throughout the region. To date the RTA has leveraged over $20 million through the 19 year history of this program.
“Through these programs, the RTA awards funding and technical assistance for projects that create transit-supportive local plans. In addition to helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality, these plans help the RTA maximize use of its transit system and tap into new markets that may lead to the creation of more jobs and sustainable communities,” said Leanne Redden, Executive Director of the RTA.
The Community Planning program provides funding and planning assistance to projects that benefit the community and the regional transit system. The program includes a mix of transit-oriented development (TOD) planning, corridor planning, and TOD implementation projects.
In May 2017, communities, counties, and transportation providers were invited to apply for funding and technical assistance through the RTA’s Community Planning program. Of the 14 applications received, 9 are included in the final program. For more information visit the RTA’s Community Planning website.
Village of Bartlett
This project seeks to implement Bartlett’s 2016 Downtown Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan by updating their current zoning ordinance. The Village is interested in using form-based zoning codes to attract mixed-use developments. Through this project the Village would create a downtown overlay zoning district to guide development in the TOD area.
Village of Brookfield
This project will assist the Village of Brookfield with a Developer Discussion Panel to gather guidance and advice from development experts. The objective is to attract development to vacant sites and encourage infill development. The Developer Discussion Panel will help the Village determine goals and needs in order to best utilize the land.
City of Chicago
This project will develop a plan on two corridors: the East 75th and East 79th Street corridors, between Stony Island Avenue and the lakefront in the South Shore neighborhood. The plan will focus on land use, business retention, housing and connectivity to transit for both corridors.
Town of Cicero
This project will update the Town’s Zoning Code to align with their recently adopted Cicero Connections Initiative Plan, funded by the RTA, and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The project will explore form based code elements to create a unified and streamlined zoning code process that will attract development, and will recognize the availability of transit service to explore greater density in commercial neighborhoods, sustainable development principles, and reduced zoning code parking requirements.
Village of Maywood
This project will update the station area plan for the area surrounding the new Maywood Metra commuter rail station. The focus of the planning effort will be along the 5th Avenue and Lake Street downtown business corridors within a quarter mile of the station and will explore ways to increased residential density and affordable housing near the station. This project will be a combination of consultant assistance and RTA staff time.
Village of Mundelein
This study seeks to create a coordinated sub-regional investment plan framework focused on the communities served by the Metra North Central Service. Project initiatives will identify planned enhancements to the line, outline implementation strategies, identify traditional and non-traditional funding sources for infrastructure improvements, and provide parameters for legal authority to move forward.
Village of Robbins
As part of a proposed stormwater solution to remove approximately 140 acres from the floodplain the Village would like to study the area for potential development. The Village envisions a mixed-use neighborhood with a stormwater park to the north. Proximity to the Metra station will serve as a major draw to attract new residents, creating demand for greater retail options and other developments in the area. This project is being led by CMAP in partnership with the RTA. The RTA would contribute staff time as well as funding for final graphics to be included in the Plan.
Village of Schiller Park
This project will create a transit-oriented development plan for the Village of Schiller Park on land formerly used an intermodal railyard. The availability of this land in the center of the Village creates a major redevelopment opportunity and this project will help the Village envision its future potential.
Village of Winthrop Harbor
The Village seeks to implement the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan that was created in 2005 by convening a developer discussion panel. The Village is looking for guidance how to attract development/redevelopment opportunities in their TOD area.
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