Planning Programs and Projects

The City is taking steps to identify the best timing to start implementing the additional modes recommended in the plan and hopes to begin implementation as soon as possible. The RTA will continue to monitor any implementation activity. The final report is available for download under "Related Reports".

The Village Board of Trustees adopted the plan on October 18, 2016 and the Village is has identified initial steps to take to implement the plan. A mixed-use project "Balance Family Chiropractic" consisting of 6,152 sq. ft of office space and 2 residential units was constructed in June 2018. In October 2019 the Village Board approved the site plan to put a brewery and restaurant at the southeast corner of Railroad and South Oak Avenues. The approval included ordinance variations to the site plan include an elimination of the required off-street parking spaces in favor of shared parking spaces already in downtown Bartlett, as recommended in the TOD Plan.

The RTA continued to support the Village with implementing the plan for downtown Bartlett through assistance to update the Village Zoning Code, adding a mixed-use TOD Overlay district for the downtown area.

In July 2021 the Village Board approved the development of the Residences at Bartlett Station, a 104 unit apartment building located just east of the Metra station at the SW corner of Railroad Avenue and Berteau.

In December 2022, the Village awarded grants from the Bartlett Economic Assistance Program to three area businesses (MORE Brewing, L P'tit Resto Bar Tapas, and Pasta Mia) for building enhancements to facilitate redevelopment of the station area. These projects implement recommendations from the Plan.

Furthermore, a 19,432-square-foot Aldi -- to be Bartlett's second nonspecialized grocery store -- is under construction at the Streets of Bartlett shopping center downtown for a late 2023 or early 2024 opening.

A Text Amendment to officially reduce the parking requirements in TOD areas was adopted by City Council in September 2017 and is being applied to new developments in the City's TOD areas.

The final draft zoning code amendments are complete and are ready for Village Board adoption as revisions into the zoning ordinance. The RTA will monitor progress of adopting the revised zoning code amendments.

In 2019, the Village Council approved zoning changes that sought to attract businesses and developers to the Village's Downtown Business District. Some of the approved changes were proposed during the zoning code update project that the Village completed in collaboration with RTA. In 2020, the Village Council approved additional modifications to the Village's zoning map.

Forest Oaks, a 56-unit multi-family development that offers affordable housing for seniors, was completed in 2020. Located at 7228 Circle Avenue, Forest Oaks is adjacent to the Harlem/Lake Green Line station and is an example of the type of development that is now permitted following the Village's adoption of the zoning amendments developed during the zoning code update project.

The final report was adopted by the Village Board in November 2017. In July 2018 the Village Board approved $1,289,800 to modify the basic downtown Metra station to add restrooms and upgrade the design to what is considered more in keeping with Libertyville's historic character. Station improvements were completed in 2019.

In 2021 the 116-year old historic building at the southeast corner of School street and Milwaukee Avenue, former home to the La Villa Theatre in downtown Libertyville was renovated to include eight apartments on the upper two floors and the restoration of the building's original features.

In early 2024 the Village of Libertyville completed the installation of five new wayfinding signs throughout the downtown, including one directly outside the Metra station. This was a transportation recommendation in the Downtown TOD Plan.

The RTA will monitor the Village's progress to implement the Plan.

The Hoffman Estates study recommended transit service alternatives, revised land uses and bicycle / pedestrian improvements. In 2018 Pace launched I-90 Express Bus services to the new Barrington Road Station as well as the new Route 612, Barrington Road Cirulator in Hoffman Estates.

In 2021 the former AT&T campus in Hoffman Estates opened as Metroburb, a new mixed-use district featuring office, retail and residential accommodationsin close proximity to the Barrington Station. The Woodridge study recommends the area around I-355 and 75th as the preferred location for an I-55 Bus on Shoulder park-n-ride facility. At this location, the Centerpointe of Woodridge is the preferred site due to its proximity near this interchange and site factors that support the development of park-n-ride service. Additionally, this site also has the potential to also serve as a remote park-n-ride facility with connecting service to Metra BNSF stations. Since completion of the Plan Pace has been evaluating the capacity/equipment/garage constraints of I-55 service as it related to a new Woodridge Park and Ride, as well as future development of the Bus on Shoulder corridor. The Green Bay Road final report was completed and delivered in December 2016.

This study was completed in June 2017 and Pace staff has begun to determine which of the recommendations to consider first for implementation.

In 2019 the Village of Melrose Park acquired and incorporated into it's jurisdiction the former Maywood Race Track, as recommended in the plan. In April 2019, reports confirmed that the 42-acre site will be developed into a three-building, 623,000-square-foot industrial and retail project, that will be called the Chariot Logistics Center.

In June 2019 the Chicago Plan Commission approved the redevelopment of the former Sears site at Harlem Ave, as recommended by the plan. Development plans include a five-story complex with 161 residential units, a grocery store, health club, and 462 parking spaces. At nearby 7141 W. Wabansia Avenue, a new four-story development with 152 units and 177 parking spaces is also planned.

In 2021 the Village of Melrose Park was awarded $566,000 from Cook County as part of the 2021 Invest in Cook grant program awards. The funds will be used to make roadway improvements at the intersection of IL-64 (North Avenue) and George Street. Correcting the offset intersection will improve safety for motorists and other users while also improving traffic circulation along commercial properties. Construction will involve installation of new traffic signals, relocating a shopping center entrance drive, as well as modifying sidewalks, ADA ramps, and a bike path. The 2017 Pace North Avenue Corridor Plan highlighted this intersection as needing modifications to better serve Pace riders, which this project will accomplish. The City of Northlake was also awarded funding for right-of-way for roadway improvements to Railroad Avenue, a major trucking corridor within the City. This project will bring Railroad Avenue up to modern design standards for safety and efficiency and improve the movement of trucks in the area. Improvements include adding a southbound right turn lane to improve capacity at the intersection of IL 64 (North Avenue) and Railroad Avenue, upgrading pedestrian accommodations to current ADA standards, and providing new signalized pedestrian crossings. The new signalized pedestrian crossing will improve access to the Pace 309 route.

RTA staff will continue to monitor for implementation activity of this study.