Planning Programs and Projects

This project has been completed.

The RTA Board approved funding for this project on August 19, 2021.  This project has been completed.

This project has been completed.

This project has been completed.

The University Park TOD Plan was completed and adopted by the Village Board in February 2023. The final report can be found under Related Reports.

The Village of University Park was awarded a follow up Community Planning project to build on the TOD Plan Update. The RTA is working with the Village on the University Park Special Financing District Study to evaluate funding mechanisms for the TOD site in University Park.

This project has been completed.

The Downtown Cary Strategic Plan was adopted by the Cary Village Board on June 15, 2021. 

In 2022 the RTA provided assistance to the Village in soliciting guidance and advice from development experts through a half-day discussion panel. This panel discussed the development climate and potential strategies to prepare for and attract development to specific parcels near the Cary Metra station.

In 2025 construction commenced on the Cary Mobility Hub adjacent to the Metra station, funded through the RTA's Access to Transit program. Improvements will include an open-air plaza with artificial turf, shelter for bicyclists and pedestrians waiting for the McRide bus service, ride sharing, taxis, and outbound Metra service,  modifications to the sidewalk to increase walkability and improve pedestrian safety, built in planters to add color and character, and new benches.

The RTA will monitor for additional plan implementation. 

Work on the project began in May of 2021 and was completed in April of 2023. CDOT is now working to identify funding sources and a strategy to implement the plan recommendations. The RTA will continue to monitor for implementation activity. The plan can be found under Related Reports.

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. 

Work in Washington Park was completed in 2022 and work in Logan Square was completed in 2023. The Economic Development Action Guide (under Related Reports) was developed for the residents of Washington Park to use as a strategy for advancing their goals for future development and redevelopment in the neighborhood. The final report for Logan Square is also found under Related Reports.