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Read the press release here.

Pullman Needs Bike Lanes, Divvy And Better Public Transit, New Plan Says

By Andrea V. Watson | September 21, 2017 6:03am | Updated on September 22, 2017 11:50am
 The new Pullman Transportation Plan will help boost quality of life and create effective and efficient access.
The new Pullman Transportation Plan will help boost quality of life and create effective and efficient access.
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Facebook / Historic Pullman Foundation

PULLMAN — A new transportation plan — featuring bike lanes, Divvy and better CTA and Metra service — would reduce commute times to and from Pullman and improve the community, officials said.

The new "Pullman Transportation Plan" was released this week. It comes after Pullman was named a National Monument in 2015.

Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said the new plan would complement the monument and the increased investment in both residential and commercial developments in the area. He said improving the transportation system will boost the overall quality of life for residents as well as make it easier for visitors.

“The Pullman Plan will help our community partners make continued progress on widely shared goals for growing the region, attracting additional businesses, creating jobs and enhancing visitors’ experience at the Pullman National Monument,” he said.

The major priorities of the transportation plan (which can be viewed in full here), include:

• Coordinate development projects and manage transportation growth and change

• Improve transit infrastructure to better serve both visitors and residents

• Develop a parking strategy that benefits local business and community

• Make Pullman a key link in regional bike network by adding or improving bike lanes on Cottage Grove Avenue, 95th and 111 Streets, and adding Divvy stations.

By 2020, Pullman National Monument is expected to see a growth in visitators to 300,000, according to an economic impact report from the National Parks Conservation Association. More visitors, along with ongoing economic development, has created a need to improve access and provide more efficient transportation, officials said.

The historic neighborhood has already attracted more than $300 million for community partners for new developments, bringing more than 1,100 new jobs. New businesses include Method products manufacturing, Gotham Greens — the world’s largest commercial greenhouse — and a retail center that includes a Walmart Super Center.

New projects include a new Whole Foods Distribution Center; Artspace, an artist work/live space; a 135,000-square-foot year-round community recreation center; Gateway, a new shopping center at 111th Street and Doty Avenue; and the rehab of the historic Pullman Clock Tower, the future home of the National Park Service visitor center.

“Interest, investment and community support for Pullman National Monument is incredibly high and continues to set the bar for many national parks in urban areas,” said Lynn McClure, Midwest director of the parks conservation assocation. “This transportation plan reinforces that improvements that are good for visitors must also help residents and businesses if they are going to work.”