East Dundee OKs study of park-n-ride facility serving Prairie Stone park

If East Dundee and the Roads and Traffic Authority build a transit center linking the village to the Prairie Stone Business Park in Hoffman Estates and other area businesses, will local employees and potential developers come?

That's the question East Dundee trustees hope to answer by approving an agreement with the RTA to conduct a feasibility study of a park-and-ride facility at Dundee Crossings at Routes 25 and 72.

Trustees voted 5-2 Monday night to approve the agreement supporting the $100,000 study. The village received an $80,000 grant from the RTA and would use money generated from the business development district to cover the additional $20,000.

"There's no transportation east of Wal-Mart," Village Administrator Frank Koehler said. "There are two buses that run along Route 25 from West Dundee and another that connects Elgin and Carpentersville that both end at Wal-Mart. But you cannot catch a bus to Hoffman Estates. This would develop a transit route that serves Prairie Stone Business Park and the 10,000 jobs that are there in the area."

The study would focus on traffic patterns, a preferred site for the transit center, design, and current and future access needs, as well as additional transportation along Route 72.

Koehler said the proposed Star Line connecting metropolitan rail services would include a stop at Prairie Stone, providing a public transportation link to downtown Chicago.

But some trustees questioned the need for a bus connecting the two areas.

Trustees Jeff Lynam and John Cichowksi opposed the resolution.

Lynam said the village would not benefit because the study would pose questions for which the village already has answers.

"The RTA will put in a parking lot," Lynam said. "Who is going to get on a bus and go to Prairie Stone two miles down the road? It's insane."

Koehler added the village is not obligated to approve a park and ride facility once the study is complete.

"This will be an opportunity for East Dundee to diversify its economic base," said Koehler, who added the facility could provide potential retail space for a coffee shop and same-day services like a dry cleaner. "This brings in new people involved in looking at future opportunities for the village."