ULI Chicago has partnered with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to facilitate discussions between individual communities and development experts to shed light on the future of transit-oriented-developments (TODs) and how this relates to the changing market and economy.

In 2011, the RTA launched a new program, entitled Setting Ideas in Motion: TOD Implementation Technical Assistance Program targeted to communities that have completed a TOD planning study through the RTA and have illustrated a need for technical assistance and support with implementation.

In partnership with ULI Chicago, a small panel of ULI experts meet with community representatives to review their TOD planning study and offer short and long-term recommendations for implementation.  A written report is produced by the RTA outlining recommendations.  ULI Chicago has facilitated discussions in Wood Dale and Franklin Park with five more community meetings scheduled throughout the suburbs prior to year-end.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has invested over $3 million during the past 13 years to complete approximately 75 transit-oriented development (TOD) planning studies through the RTA’s Community Planning funding program which funds TOD planning studies that promote walkable, mixed-income, mixed-use development co-located and/or well-connected to retail and business uses in transit station areas while also increasing overall access to transit.

Learn more about ULI Chicago’s work in communities across the region