RTA, Crystal Lake begin planning project to enhance areas surrounding Metra stations

August 5, 2020

The City of Crystal Lake and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) have begun a planning process to create the Crystal Lake and Pingree Road Stations Strategic Action Plan.

The plan will identify strategies to enhance development opportunities and transportation accessibility around the two Metra stations on the Union Pacific/Northwest line while ensuring each area contributes to a welcoming and active downtown that maximizes the potential of undeveloped land.

Extensive public outreach will be conducted during the yearlong planning process and the community’s vision will drive the plan’s direction and recommendations, which will in turn set a blueprint for how the station areas should evolve over the next decade.

A community survey is available online to learn more about how residents, business owners, developers, and other stakeholders use the station areas and gather their ideas for the future.

Participation is key to creating a plan for the future of these two transit station areas. The planning process will help improve transportation options by providing more places for people to live and work near transit in Crystal Lake and surrounding communities for years to come.

The planning project in Crystal Lake is supported by the RTA Community Planning program which offers technical assistance and funding to local governments and intergovernmental organizations to address local planning needs at the intersection of public transportation and land use with a goal of developing more walkable and sustainable communities.