Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Buffalo Grove & Prairie View
Transit-Oriented Development Plans

Metra’s North Central Service Line began running in 1996 and brought an end to the 70-year drought of new Chicagoland commuter rail service. Accordingly, land use around the new stations adjusted in response to the new service. Camiros was retained by the Village of Buffalo Grove to develop station area plans for two new Metra stations within the Village’s planning jurisdiction: Buffalo Grove and Prairie View. Each station has a unique set of challenges. At Buffalo Grove station, an existing suburban business park sought transformation to a walkable, transit-oriented development. At Prairie View station, the challenge was planning for future development that respects and conserves the area’s historic character while incorporating new compact, mixed use development.

A Transit Station Area Plan composed of various alternative concepts for each station was prepared to provide direction to the Village. Concept plans for the Buffalo Grove station illustrate site density and scale of residential uses, traffic controls, improved pedestrian access and description for other site design amenities. The Prairie View station concept plan focuses on mixed use development which provides residential infill opportunities and redevelopment as well as upgraded utility services. These illustrative site plans helped local stakeholders to understand challenging site planning issues and refine goals and implementation strategies.