Planning Programs and Projects

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.

The final TOD Plan was adopted by the Village Board on November 14, 2016 and the Village is assessing initial implementation steps it could take. In September 2018, 'Stone Garden' Single Family Homes completed construction near the Palatine Metra Station.

In 2022 the Village was awarded right-of-way funding for Palatine Road improvements from Smith Street through Quentin Road identified in the plan. These improvements will include the reconstruction of Palatine Road, bike lane improvements, and associated sidewalk and pedestrian enhancements. These improvements will not only further solidify this section of Palatine Road as a western gateway into Downtown, but also greatly enhance the pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to Downtown Palatine.

The operating service provided 5,656 trips in August 2019. This project is complete.

The operating service provided 252 trips in April 2022. 

The operating service provided 588 trips in April 2022.

The discussion panel was held on November 18, 2015. The final summary report is complete and can be found in the Related Studies section.

In 2021, the River Grove Station development was completed and began leasing units. The 40-unit multi-family development is located adjacent to the River Grove Metra station in the area designated as "Site 1" in the River Grove Thatcher Avenue Transit-Oriented Development Plan (2014). This site was the subject of the 2015 Developer Panel. 

This discussion was held on July 10th and a summary of this discussion can be found in the Related Studies section.

In 2020, construction began on a $64 million, 153-unit mixed-use development located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street.  Called Highpoint at 8000 North, this development is emblematic of the type of development that Developer Panel participants recommended for the Oakton Street corridor. The Village anticipates that the development will be open for residents in 2022.