Planning Programs and Projects

The Plan was completed in April 2008. 

In November 2013 the Village completed a Comprehensive Plan that includes recommendations for priority redevelopment sites in the TOD Area. 

Additionally, the Village was selected in 2014 to host a Developer Discussion Panel to solicit guidance and advice from ULI members on ways to attract investment along the St. Charles Road corridor; a summary report of this discussion can be found on the Bellwood Developer Discussion Panel RTAMS page.

In early 2015, the RTA applied for CMAQ funds on behalf of the Village for pedestrian improvements along St. Charles Road as a selected project in the Access to Transit Improvement Program. A Single-Family Homes residential project, 'Randolph Estates' consisting of 12 units and 48 parking spaces began construction in September 2016 and was completed in December 2018. In addition, a 10,483 sq. ft medical clinic, 'Oak Street Health' began construction in March 2018 and was completed in July 2018.

In early 2019 the Village was awarded Invest in Cook funds from Cook County Department of Transportation to complete St. Charles Road Sidewalk ADA Ramp Improvements.

In 2024 Bellwood officials broke ground on a pair of apartment buildings flanking St. Charles Road in a long-declining business district. The two four-story buildings, called Bellwood Gateway, come on the heels of the more than two dozen single-family homes the village has built and sold since 2011. When completed, the Bellwood Gateway pair will have a combined 71 apartments and 6,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space, with parking behind each building. Bellwood is financing construction of the $42.5 million project with a $14 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, TIF funds and a bond issue. Although owned by the village, the buildings will be managed by a private operator.

The study was completed in January 2007. The Village surveyed area employers within the station area in summer of 2010 to identify any needed revisions to Pace Bus Route #626, which serves the station. Upgrades were made to the route shortly after.

Buffalo Grove was also chosen as part of the 2011 RTA Community Planning Program of Projects to update their zoning regulations in both station areas to include transit-supportive regulations. This project began in the 4th Quarter of 2011 and updated regulations & design guidelines for both station areas were completed in August 2012. 13 new townhomes were built in the Waterbury Place development within the Prairie View TOD area in 2013, but these units were approved for development prior to the start of the TOD zoning project. In spring of 2016 the Easton Station project broke ground in the Prairie View station area just west of I-94 and just south of Route 22. The development will consist of 15 luxury townhomes.

In 2019 the Village completed an update to the Prairie View plan and is now working to implement the revised vision. The updated plan calls for single-family homes and townhouses clustered around more than 12 acres of park space; a central area with a mix of uses, including single-family homes, multifamily housing and commercial properties, along with a gateway paying tribute to the neighborhood's history; and a south area featuring townhouses and a mixed-use building overlooking a plaza. The RTA continues to track development progress in both station areas and offer implementation assistance when appropriate.

The study was completed in July 2006. In June 2021 the Village of Elmwood Park purchased the vacant lot at 7505 W. Grand Avenue, across from the Metra station, to facilitate future development.

The RTA is monitoring progress and will provide technical assistance and support as needed.

The study was completed in November 2006. In 2010, the Village was awarded $900,000 through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) for streetscape enhancements to Ardmore Avenue.

Additionally, the Village was chosen as part of the 2012 RTA Community Planning Program to update their zoning regulations in their TOD study area. New zoning districts were created through this project and the Village adopted the new regulations on July 8, 2013. The new TOD area zoning regulations can be found here. As a follow-up in 2013, the RTA worked with ULI to convene a panel of development experts to provide guidance and advice to the Village on ways to attract development in the TOD area.

In July 2021, the Village Board voted to approve a proposed $120 million mixed-use apartment building northwest of the Villa Park Metra station. The seven-story, 348-unit complex is to be located on 1.69 acres of a block bounded by East Vermont Street on the north, North Beverly Avenue on the east, West Terrace Street to the south and North Ardmore Avenue to the west and will feature first floor retail space. The developer broke ground on the project in 2022.