Lawerence Synett / TribLocal reporter

A gas station, convenience store and car wash will be opening at the intersection of 176 and 31, one of the busiest in Crystal Lake.

Crystal Lake Mobil will go in on the southwest corner, which has been vacant for more than two years. It joins Shell, Citgo and Walgreens at the intersection and it will include a Subway and Seattle’s Best Coffee.  

“We’ve had a lot of interest in this corner,” said Michelle Rentzsch, director of planning and economic development. “We are happy to move forward with this. The gas station will do very well there.”

The property was previously home to an Exxon Mobil gas station and car wash before the franchise owner closed the location for personal reasons. Rentzsch said the closing had nothing to do with the amount of business at the station.

 “It was very profitable,” she said.

The city’s planning and zoning commission approved the project Tuesday. A final approval by the city council is expected Sept. 21.

The gas station is expected to be up-and-running by January. The owners will utilize the existing convenience store and car wash and renovate the interior as well as improve the landscaping and sidewalks.

The canopy, fuel pumps and underground tanks that were removed in 2008 will be reinstalled at the same locations. 

“We are excited to finally see something come to this corner,” said Jeff Greenman, planning and zoning commissioner.

Commissioners recommended the owners bury any and all aerial lines involved in the project before the Illinois Department of Transportation begins reconstructing the intersection, which will include the transition into a true four-way intersection and the creation of a cul-de-sac on Terra Cotta Avenue.

Thomas Zanck, a Crystal Lake business owner, warned commissioners about the increase in traffic that could result with the addition of the gas station.

“It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” he said. “There has been no difficulty regarding traffic since the gas station closed. It’s going to be difficult for that to remain the same once this happens.”

Rentzsch doesn’t anticipate traffic being a problem.

“The only concern is motorists turning westbound onto (Route) 176,” she said. “That is a moot point because once the reconstruction of that intersection takes place, barriers will be in place that won’t allow that to happen.”

lsynett@tribune.com