Crystal Lake TOD Planning Study

The plan was adopted by Crystal Lake City Council on September 7, 2021. The RTA will monitor for implementation activity.

In 2022 construction commenced to build a new multi-family development at the southwest corner of E. Crystal Lake Avenue and S. Main Street. The community will include 48 apartments and 51 townhouses just a short walk from the Crystal Lake Metra rail station.

In November 2024 the first 40 apartments in the Water's Edge mixed-use development in the City of Crystal Lake were completed, after which the additional components of the development will be constructed. At full build-out, the development will feature 260 housing units, 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant spaces, and public open space. The project is will be the largest development project in the City, occupying 30 acres adjacent to the Three Oaks Recreation Area. Although this project is just outside of the study area for the Crystal Lake and Pingree Road Stations Strategic Action Plan, the project nonetheless supports the plan's goals to promote multi-modal transportation, create welcoming and unique destinations, maximize the potential of undeveloped and underutilized land, and provide a greater range of housing options for people at all life stages and backgrounds within proximity to the Crystal Lake and Pingree Road Metra stations. In addition, the project achieves one of the plan's objectives to "encourage developers to develop multi-family housing complexes with common space amenities that are attractive to young professionals."

At the Crystal Lake-Pingree Station, Metra has declared some of that property they own as excess but also identified that existing parking will meet long-term needs at this station so approximately 13 acres of the undeveloped area may be available for redevelopment. Metra has had initial discussions with the City of Crystal Lake and a developer about a multi-family development at the site.