GENEVA – The RTA Board of Directors approved $144,000 in funding to assist Geneva in encouraging more transit-oriented development near Metra’s Union Pacific West Line Geneva station, officials said.

The RTA also will help manage the grant and assist in implementing the recommendations.

Geneva Community Development Director Dick Untch said in a statement that the RTA’s assistance “is a big step forward towards realizing long-term objectives for our downtown.”

Geneva adopted a station area master plan in November 2012 that focused on expanding retail development, increasing housing diversity, mixed-use development, parking and improving access to and around the station.

The plan will guide development and decision-making on private and public property near the Metra station over the next 10 to 15 years, officials said.

“The updated zoning regulations will align the city’s zoning with its downtown plan, streamline development guidelines and update design standards,” Untch said, according to the release. “The recently adopted master plan presents the city’s long-term vision for the future properties around the Geneva Metra Station and the rest of the downtown.”

Acting RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden said the agency will partner with Geneva and other communities in planning projects to make it easier and more convenient for residents to use public transit and reduce their dependence on driving.

Geneva’s local match is $25,000, officials said.

To date, the RTA has leveraged federal, state, local and its own dollars to fund 223 public transit-related projects totaling more than $134 million throughout the region, officials said.