Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, the Will County Board unanimously approves the Fairmont Neighborhood plan, updates on LTA projects in Lakemoor, Blue Island, Alsip, and Riverside, news on CMAQ projects in Evanston and Chicago, CMAP's website features a map of planned construction in 2012, and an upcoming watershed symposium. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.
First Off...
Fairmont neighborhood plan. Yesterday, the Will County Board unanimously adopted the Fairmont Neighborhood plan. CMAP collaborated with the community and County on this plan through our Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. This is the first plan of its kind for Fairmont, an unincorporated area between Lockport and Joliet. The plan will guide Fairmont's future growth with a focus on implementation. Read more at the Herald-News.
Thank you. Congratulations and best wishes to Marty Buehler as he retires after 39 years' service with the Lake County Division of Transportation. Marty has served on CMAP's MPO Policy Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program Project Selection Committee. Thank you for your service, Marty.
Policy Updates. On Wednesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a proposal to extend the current federal transportation reauthorization program through September 30, 2012. We also wrote about economic development incentives being considered in the Illinois General Assembly.
LTA Ideas Exchange: Don't forget to register. Elected officials, municipal planners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the first LTA program Ideas Exchange event on May 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor of UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago. In addition to highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, this special event will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss grant opportunities -- including the next LTA call for projects, which CMAP will post in the second week of May.
Other News and Announcements
LTA updates. Wondering about the status of an LTA project? Each month we post a program update on the main LTA page, which also has links to pages describing each project. On May 10, the Village of Norridge and CMAP will host an open house to review its draft comprehensive plan from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Estelle Sieb Community Center (7774 W. Irving Park Road, Norridge). CMAP is also working with the City of Evanston to create a water efficiency program that will help the City implement its Climate Action Plan. A public meeting will be held on April 26 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center (2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 2200, Evanston). A series of LTA meetings have already been held this month:
- Yesterday, the Village of Lakemoor held a public meeting attended by 20 individuals to continue the planning process for its comprehensive plan. Read more in the Daily Herald.
- On Monday, the City of Blue Island and CMAP hosted an open house for the City's draft comprehensive plan, which was attended by 50 people. See a photo slideshow from the open house, which is also on the project web page.
- The Village of Alsip kick-off meeting for development of a comprehensive plan was attended by about two dozen residents on April 12.
- The Village of Riverside held a public meeting with over 60 attendees to kick off the planning process for their downtown on April 11.
CMAQ in the news. Two projects receiving funds from CMAP’s
CMAQ program were in the news this week. The Evanston City Council
approved Asbury Avenue as the new location for a Yellow Line station in Evanston. And the Chicago City Council
passed a plan to implement a bike-sharing program for several Chicago neighborhoods.
Elgin-O'Hare comment period. Public comments are being sought through May 14 regarding the draft environmental impact statement for the Elgin-O'Hare West Bypass, which is among the
major capital projects recommended by GO TO 2040.
Construction season. Our website features a
map showing construction planned throughout the region for 2012, as well as a
resource page for real-time construction information. To help build system operators' awareness of other agencies’ scheduled projects, CMAP held a meeting in February for implementers to exchange information about 2012 construction.
CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest
tip sheet includes information on the first LTA Ideas Exchange, Energy Impact Illinois "Impact Teams," new features on MetroPulse, and more.
Buffalo Creek Watershed. On April 25, the
Buffalo Creek Clean Watershed Partnership (BCCWP) will hold its
first public meeting at the Village Council Chambers (50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove). Regional agencies including CMAP will lead discussions, providing opportunities for citizens and communities to learn and voice their concerns. For more information, contact Jeff Weiss (
marjeff1@aol.com or 847-224-0965).
BRT open house. On May 2, the Chicago Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority and Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), will host an open house on the Central Loop (East-West) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Chicago Architecture Foundation from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The event will feature two sessions for feedback and a one-hour presentation on the project plans. To RSVP, email Nick Nottoli (
nnottoli@grisko.com).
Watershed symposium. On May 4, the
Elgin Green Expo will host its “Watershed Wanderings” municipal symposium at the Centre of Elgin (100 Symphony Way, Elgin) from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. CMAP staff member Holly Hudson will speak about the recently completed
Blackberry Creek and
Ferson-Otter Creek watershed plans. The event also features special guest Chad Pregracke on his vision for cleaning up rivers, a municipal panel discussion on water quality improvements in Fox River communities, and a 5,000 gallon aquarium full of fish from the Fox River. Prior to the symposium, there will be a Cultural History Pontoon Boat Tour on the Fox River. A concert to benefit Friends of the Fox River will follow the symposium from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. For more information and to register, visit
Elgin Green Expo Municipal Symposium.
State funds for Chicago River disinfection. The State of Illinois
announced plans to provide $10 million towards disinfecting sewage flowing into the Chicago River. These funds will be added to a $21 million fund that will build systems for sewage disinfection and include walking and biking paths along the river. Last May, federal
mandates pushed for improvements to the quality of the waterway.
Chicago food plan meetings. At a
series of public meetings, Chicago residents can learn and provide feedback about the City's “
Healthy Food Chicago” plan. To RSVP or request special accommodations, contact
info@healthyplaceschicago.org or 312-573-7786.
Electric Vehicle Forum. On May 23, the American Lung Association and partners will host “
The Electric Vehicle Forum” at Moraine Valley Community College (9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills). The day will feature discussion on opportunities and challenges relating to electric vehicle use in Illinois. Register
on-line.
Data Depot
Acres of infill potential. CMAP’s MetroPulse data portal tracks each county’s potential for infill. This indicator helps decision makers to monitor the stock of underutilized building sites and prioritize development in these areas. Many public programs that support building rehabilitation and modernization, including Energy Impact Illinois, provide a marketplace for improving the value of residential, commercial, and industrial structures. This helps a redeveloping neighborhood raise the improved value of its buildings and contributes to GO TO 2040’s goal of reinvesting in existing communities.
Illinois Innovation Index. The latest monthly Illinois Innovation Index e-newsletter came out this week and examined the role of exports in economic growth. Read more in a CMAP Policy Update. Metropolitan areas are particularly important for exports, contributing almost 85 percent of all U.S. export sales in 2010. The role of exports in the metropolitan Chicago economy is increasing -- from 2009 to 2010, our region’s export growth rate grew more quickly than that of Los Angeles or New York. All of the data used in the Index is available on MetroPulse.
Reminders
FLIP application. The 2012-13 application is now available for CMAP’s Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP). Selected high school students from around the region meet one Saturday a month and go behind the scenes to learn about what keeps our region strong, safe, healthy, and moving. Any freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in the CMAP region is eligible to apply. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).
CNU20. Associates and friends of New Urbanism will host the 20th Congress of New Urbanism (CNU20) “The New World” from May 9 to 12 in West Palm Beach, FL. The event will feature speakers and panels to discuss the challenges and opportunities of 21st Century New Urbanism, including topics such as “Doing Well by Doing Good” and “Designing Place Collaboratively.” Participants can register on-line.
Events
Transportation Conformity Workshops
April 24 to 26, 2012
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CMAP: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by the National Transit Institute
More information
20th Congress for the New Urbanism
May 9 to 12, 2012
West Palm Beach, FL
More information
Bronzeville Retail Development Initiative planning meeting
May 12, 2012
8:30 a.m. to noon
Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center: 4859 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Bronzeville Alliance, CMAP, and the Metropolitan Planning Council
More information
County Green
May 17, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
College of Lake County: 19351 W. Washington Street, Building C, Grayslake
More information
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