Evanston Encourages Residents to Support their RTA Grant Application

From the city of Evanston:

The City of Evanston has submitted an application for a Regional Transportation Authority's (RTA) 2012 Community Planning Program grant and is seeking comments from residents on the application. The city’s application aims to provide a transit-oriented development blueprint for the city’s Main Street Metra and CTA stations, and evaluate ways to introduce high-quality office and technology space into the station area and improve connections between the two stations.

The program received 20 applications of which seven were chosen for inclusion in the 2012 Preliminary Program of Projects. The City of Evanston’s project was among the seven projects selected. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT RESIDENTS CONTACT RTA IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY’S GRANT APPLICATION. WITH COMMUNITY HELP, THE CITY COULD BE AWARDED A SIGNIFICANT GRANT.

The RTA is seeking public comment from August 18, 2011 to September 30, 2011 for the 2012 Preliminary Program of Projects. After all comments are received, RTA staff will review the comments and adjust the Preliminary Program if necessary. The RTA Board will then consider approval of the 2012 Program of Projects at the October 20, 2011 Board Meeting. To submit comments by email, please email fundingprogramscomments@rtachicago.org with the Subject Line: City of Evanston. To submit comments by phone, please call (312) 913-5516.

To read the city’s full grant application, please click here>>>

Grant Application Summary:
o Plan for the future redesign/development of the Purple Line station at Main Street.
o Identify redevelopment opportunities that can capitalize on transit investments
o Strengthen the Metra/CTA transfer opportunity at the Main Street Station Area
o Ensure transit investments is an economic development opportunity for the Main Street Businesses
o Identify sustainable development opportunities both in the transit investment and in public/private development opportunities.
o Study and Integrate the multi-modal connectivity of the Main Street Station Area, Including bike, pedestrian, and bus services to the rail stations.
o Strengthen the economic vitality of the Main Street urban center through the development of new office and technology job centers space to help further the development of a 24/7 vibrant urban environment at Main Street.
o Identify public open space opportunities in the plan area to further enhance the desirability and livability of the community surrounding the transit investment.