RTA hires consultant to help suburban development

Despite opposition, RTA board directors agreed to pay a consultant $30,000 to help towns falling behind in attempts to stimulate economic growth around suburban train stations.

Regional Transportation Authority board directors voted 9-5 Wednesday to hire the nonprofit Urban Land Institute to assist 8 municipalities seeking to bring a mixture of retail, offices and housing to within walking distance of Metra stops.

Towns that would benefit from the Urban Land Institute contract include Bensenville, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Villa Park and Wood Dale.

The idea would be to talk to developers about whether they see potential in certain downtowns and possibly match them up with communities.

“We want to hear real feedback from developers,” RTA planning Chief Leanne Redden said.

Some directors were skeptical about the value of the project, given the stagnant economy.

Chairman John S. Gates Jr., former CEO of a real estate development firm, noted, “I'm a believer in the free market — if there's demand it will be built.”

“With the economy, I just feel the timing is not right,” Director Jan Carlson of Elburn said.

“My concern is we're moving into a new direction of business recruitment in specific communities, and we should not be allocating the resources of the RTA to that effort,” Dwight Magalis of Libertyville said.

RTA administrators said the investment could help jump-start downtown development plans that are gathering dust. The agency supports a transportation system that promotes clean air and livable communities, according to a statement on transit-oriented development.

“It's a relatively small amount to take it to the next step,” RTA Executive Director Joseph Costello said. “Yes, these are tough economic times, but we need to continue to plan.”

The Urban Land Institute defines its mission as “to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.”