The General Assembly declares that the welfare, health, prosperity, and moral and general well being of the people of the State are, in large measure, dependent upon the sound and orderly development of municipal areas. The Village of Bellwood, the Village of Maywood, and the Village of Melrose Park, by reason of the location therein of 25th Avenue and the First Avenue vicinity between Lake Street on the North, Oak Street on the South, the Des Plaines River on the East, and Fifth Avenue on the West and their use for vehicular travel in access to the entire west metropolitan Chicago area, including municipalities in 2 counties, as well as commercial and industrial growth patterns and accessibility to O’Hare International Airport, Midway Airport, manufacturing, and freight related facilities, have become and will increasingly be the hub of transportation from all parts of the region and throughout the west metropolitan area. Motor vehicle traffic, pedestrian travel, and the safety of both motorists and pedestrians are substantially aggravated by the location of a major railroad right of way that divides the Village of Bellwood and the Village of Melrose Park. Additionally, certain development opportunities may exist in the project area that would stabilize and enhance the tax base of existing communities, maintain and revitalize existing commerce and industry, create opportunities for intersurface modal transportation efficiencies, and promote comprehensive planning within and between communities. The presence of the railroad right of way at the 25th Avenue grade crossing is detrimental to the orderly expansion of industry and commerce and to progress of the region. To alleviate this situation it is necessary to relocate the railroad tracks and right of way on 25th Avenue and First Avenue, to separate the grades at crossings, to acquire property for relocation or submergence of the railroad or highways, to create an agency to facilitate and accomplish that relocation, and to direct infrastructure and development improvements in the 25th Avenue vicinity between St. Charles Road and Lake Street and the First Avenue vicinity between Lake Street on the North, Oak Street on the South, the Des Plaines River on the East, and Fifth Avenue on the West.
     Additionally, certain development opportunities may exist in the West Cook County region from Harlem Avenue on the East to I-294 on the West and from Grand Avenue on the North to 31st Street on the South that would stabilize and enhance the tax base of existing communities, maintain and revitalize existing commerce and industry, create opportunities for modal transportation efficiencies, and promote comprehensive planning within and between communities.