Elgin Chicago Street Station Area Plan
This project created a transit-oriented development plan for an approximate ½ mile radius of the Chicago Street Metra station within the City. The plan promoted revitalization of the area by examining effective land use, multi-modal interconnectivity, and retail and residential redevelopment strategies. Recommendations focused on streetscape improvements, transit access improvements and land use recommendations. Specific land use recommendations focused on new multi-family residential and commercial uses in the station area.
The final plan was approved by the City Council in December 2014.
In July 2016, zoning approval was granted for Fox River Crossing, an affordable senior housing development with 60 apartment units, at the northwest corner of Route 31 and Lawrence. In September of 2017 the developers of Fox River Crossing received federal low income tax credits, which are passed on as below market rents for seniors.
The renovation of Elgin's historic Tower Building, a 22-unit apartment building at the corner of E. Chicago Street and N. Grove Avenue in Downtown Elgin was completed at the end of 2017. Apartments units are currently available to rent.
During 2016 and 2017 the City continued with streetscape improvements along Chicago Street including the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk linking the Metra station with the Pace Transportation Center. In addition, in the summer of 2018 RTA interagency signage will be installed within and adjacent to the station areas to assist passengers making bus and train transfer connections.
Two mixed-use developments, Fountain Square on the River (200 residential units) and River Park Place (180 residential units) were recently built. A downtown festival park was also built and a bike path extension is planned.
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| RTA | $80,000 |
| Local | $20,000 |