TOD plans OK'd near Palatine, Bartlett Metra stations

The village of Palatine, Ill., has approved a transit-oriented development (TOD) plan for the area near the Palatine Metra station, the Regional Transportation Authority of Chicago (RTA) announced last week.

Recommendations include additional multifamily residential development around the station and improved bicycle and pedestrian access to it. RTA's Community Planning program is providing $80,000 toward the $100,000 plan; the village of Palatine is covering the remainder.

The plan is aimed at expanding the visibility of downtown Palatine to attract new visitors and investment to the village, RTA officials said in a press release. The plan also identifies ways to leverage the station to attract new employers and commercial businesses to the downtown.

Meanwhile, the village of Bartlett, Ill., adopted a similar TOD plan for the area near its downtown Metra station. RTA's Community Planning program is covering $100,000 of the $125,000 plan, with the village of Bartlett picking up the rest.