‘Transit-oriented’ apartments, townhouses proposed for Cary at old Maplewood School

Three developers are vying for the chance to build market-rate townhouse and apartment complexes at the long-shuttered Maplewood School property in Cary.

Cary District 26 reluctantly agreed last year to sell its Maplewood property to the village for $5.5 million and develop a new transportation site at another location after a long dispute. The intergovernmental agreement spells out that the village will buy the property for $5.5 million up front. The agreement came after the village rejected District 26’s attempts to rezone Maplewood to allow for a new transportation center.

More than 20 developers expressed interest in the site, and three have submitted proposals that village trustees discussed at a recent meeting. The potential selection of a preferred development would go through the village board, Community Development Director Brian Simmons said.

All three developers proposed similar complexes with apartment buildings, separate townhouse buildings, and outdoor and indoor amenities. The proposals are called “transit-oriented” because the 15.6-acre property at 422 W. Krenz Ave. is walking distance from the Metra station.

Some residents have expressed concerns over the potential density and lack of owner-occupied options, while others say they don’t want four- or five-story buildings there.

Resident Randy Scott, who is running for Cary mayor against incumbent Mayor Mark Kownick, said he would like to see starter owner-occupied homes for young families.

Over the years of the village trying to spur development at Maplewood, a developer never has proposed single-family homes there, Trustee Jennifer Weinhammer said.

“We live in a time of passion for people wanting rental apartments. They want transit-orientated developments,” Kownick said. “We have a huge shortage in McHenry County of market-rate apartments.”

Here’s more on the three options:

Option 1

Cordogan Clark proposes five-story apartment blocks with about 200 units oriented by Route 14 and surrounded by three-story buildings of 50 townhouses.

Cordogan Clark Design Director Bruce Cairns showed options with two parking spaces per unit or 1.5 spaces per unit that allows for more green space. With the extra space, the developer can add a dog park, pool, outdoor workspaces and extra stormwater retention. Indoor amenities can include a fitness center, workspaces and an entertainment kitchen. The developer is flexible on adding studio apartments and changing unit and parking space numbers to fit what is best for the area.

Option 2

Lynmark Group proposes 288 apartments in two 5-story buildings, plus 44 townhouses. Described as a “luxury multifamily development,” the apartment buildings would be connected to an indoor common area that would lead to an outdoor courtyard with a pool and fire pit, Lynmark Group Director of Midwest Operations Brad Friedman said.

The developer plans to replicate a mixed-use development that opened in 2020 at 375 W. Dundee Road in Wheeling. The complex offers full-time staff on-site with a lobby, club room, rentable party room, fitness space, work stations, conference room, package room with refrigerators and dog-washing stations. The townhouses could be rentable or owner-occupied, depending on market, Friedman said.

Option 3

Alessio Companies and VDR Development Group aim to build 284 apartment units in two- and four-story buildings with no townhouses.

The plan includes a separate one-story clubhouse with a game room, bars, fireplace, business center, bike storage room, package room and a dog-washing room. Outside the community area can include a pool, dog park, grill stations and fire pits, Charles Hall Construction President Kevin Micheli said.

A small piece of land could be dedicated to the village for a community park that could include a playground, gazebo, and recreational or sitting areas, Micheli said.

The team expects the majority of their tenants to be young couples with few children.

Micheli also said they can be flexible with height and density changes.

The Maplewood property is in the downtown tax increment financing district created in 2023. Currently zoned single-home residential, it houses the former school, six baseball fields and District 26’s transportation center.

Village officials are moving forward with the Maplewood Access Road Extension project that aims to improve mobility in downtown Cary. The new road would be an extension of Industrial Drive, running from Cary Algonquin Road to High Road, parallel with Route 14 and south of the railroad tracks.

Village trustees have said they would like to see studio apartments, more indoor parking and a community park at the corner of Krenz Avenue and School Street.

Kownick said he hopes residents give input on the proposals so developers can work with the village to create a project they want to see.

“We want to hear what people have to say,” he said.