Tinley Park's plan for preserving the character of the downtown has gotten the nod from the state chapter of the nation's largest urban planning association.

During Tuesday's village board meeting, the Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association awarded the downtown Legacy Plan the Best Strategic Plan award. The plan, adopted last December, sets standards for new development downtown, encouraging projects that preserve the downtown's historic character.

"It was clear to the jury this was not a back-room planning effort. There was a lot of community input, " said APA Illinois Chapter Vice President Rob Kowalski, calling the plan one of the best he's seen in years and comparing it to the Burnham Plan that re-designed Chicago in the early 20th century.

The economy has stalled many development projects, but the village is also working on a Legacy Code, giving more specific requirements for future buildings in the downtown area.

The village was honored for its downtown on the same night it made a major move in what was once a new-growth area of the town's outskirts. Also at the meeting, the village approved a construction contract for the 80th Avenue Metra station, completing the final procedural move in the long-awaited project.

"When that station was built in 1978, 77, I remember saying ... what are we doing way out here?" Mayor Ed Zabrocki said. "We're in the middle of nowhere."