Category: Planning & Development Department News

Incentive Program Makes Big Investments in Small Businesses

The City of Champaign launched its Small Business Incentive Program in May 2016 when City Council approved $230,000 in one-time money for Small Business Development. The program is a matching grant where approved applicants can receive up to $7,000 in reimbursements for one-time business related expenses including marketing, financial assistance, education, legal assistance, equipment and […]


Staff Joins National League of Cities Focus Group

The City of Champaign was invited by the National League of Cities, along with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Enterprise and the American Planning Association, to participate in a focus group discussion on the issues of affordable housing, economic inclusion and workforce development.  Rob Kowalski, Planning and Development Assistant Director and Kerri Wiman, Neighborhood […]


Open House Workshop Meeting Held for Neil Street Corridor Improvement Plan

On March 29, Planning & Development Department Staff and Ratio architects hosted a public engagement opportunity for input on the “Preferred Alternative” of the Neil Street Corridor Improvement Plan.  Thirty-three residents attended the workshop and gave input on the proposed concepts which will be used to develop a draft plan moving forward.  The Open House […]


Downtown TIF Concludes after 36 years of Rebuilding Downtown Champaign

Downtown TIF Concludes after 36 years of Rebuilding Downtown Champaign On Friday, December 15, 2017, the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District officially ended and with it, the primary funding stream for 36 years’ worth of revitalization work.  The Downtown TIF was initially enacted on December 15, 1981 as a tool to reverse years of decline […]


Storefront Improvement Program Used to Restore Art Marquee

Storefront Improvement Program Used to Restore Art Marquee The Art Film Foundation is preparing to officially rededicate the renovated Art Theater Marquee on Monday, December 18th at 6:30 PM. This year long project involved a community fundraising drive to match the $10,000 available in the City’s Storefront Improvement Program. In total, $23,000 in repairs were […]


In-Town Neighborhood Listening Session

On Thursday, December 7, approximately 70 residents from the In-Town Neighborhood Association and the Washington Street Neighborhood Association attended a Listening Session at the Champaign Public Library.  The purpose of the Listening Session was to hear interests and concerns as they relate to zoning and development regulations for new buildings in the In-Town Zoning Districts.  At […]


Urbana-Champaign Angel Network Meeting

On November 28, Planning and Development Director Bruce Knight participated in a pitch meeting of Urbana-Champaign Angel Network (UCAN) along with Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) staff, U of I Research Park staff, and possible Angel investors for the companies. The pitch meeting included three company presentations – two startups and one success story, […]


Suites at Third Achieves LEED Gold

Suites at Third Achieves LEED Gold The Suites at Third, located at 302 East John Street, is a new, 251-bed student apartment building constructed by American Campus Communities. The property opened to residents this past August. The project was approved with a Planned Development and the design of the building became a model for the […]