Region 1 Industrial Master Plan
Rockford, IL

Senior Urban Planner assisting in the planning of a nearly 1,800-acre rail-served industrial development.

The proposed concept is strategically positioned between Rockford International Airport and the Rochelle Intermodal Facility, just south of downtown Rockford. This master plan establishes a framework for a high-capacity industrial hub that leverages direct rail access, proximity to Interstate 39 and Interstate 90, and convenient connections to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

The land plan focuses on creating a flexible industrial park that can accommodate both large-scale users and multi-tenant development. Two plan options were prepared: one dividing the property into 20–100-acre industrial lots to attract major logistics and manufacturing operations, and another with 20–50-acre lots to encourage smaller-scale or phased development. Both options preserve strategic open space for stormwater management aligned with existing watersheds and incorporate planned areas for future expansion.

The master plan also addressed site infrastructure and circulation to support the scale of the development. Access and traffic control planning defined primary and secondary entrances, optimized vehicular circulation, and aligned with regional roadway improvements. Rail access was integrated into the lot configuration to maximize efficiency for users, while public utility connections from the City of Rockford, including water and sewer were planned to serve the development.