Category: Planning & Development Department News

Planning & Development Staff Presents Small Business Incentives

Senior Planner for Economic Development T.J. Blakeman presented the City’s Small Business Incentive Program at Small Business Week, hosted by the Small Business Development Center. Approximately twenty entrepreneurs and service providers attended the event. Entrepreneurs were excited to learn about opportunities for financial assistance with financial, marketing, and legal start up expenses. Service providers including […]


Zone Champaign Developer Focus Group

On March 30, the Planning and Development Department met with a focus group of the development community assembled by the offices of Meyer Capel in Champaign. The Department presented the final proposed standards for the Zoning Ordinance amendments known as “Zone Champaign.” These amendments will update the standards used to regulate development in Downtown, Midtown, […]


Planning Staff & Council Representative Visit KraftHeinz Corporate Office

On Thursday, February 25, representatives from Planning and Development staff, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, and Champaign County Economic Development Corporation accompanied Councilmember Tom Bruno on a visit to the new Chicago corporate headquarters of KraftHeinz.  The visit was designed to meet with company executives to better understand their recent merger and to express […]


Planning and Development, Plan Commission and Historic Preservation Commission Tour of Former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant (Papa Del’s Pizza)

On February 20, members of the City of Champaign Historic Preservation Commission, Plan Commission and Planning and Development Department Staff attended a tour of the Former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant at 1201 South Neil Street. Over the past year, Robert Monti has restored and the historic Art Deco factory into the new home of Papa Del’s […]


Solar Urbana-Champaign

On January 28, Planning and Development Staff attended a Solar Power Hour at the Champaign County Farm Bureau to learn about solar incentives for residents and businesses in Champaign County.  Solar Urbana-Champaign is an exciting opportunity for Champaign County residents and businesses to receive significant discounts on the purchase and installation of solar panels.  The […]


Champaign Planning and Development Director Leads Pro Bono Planning Team

Champaign’s Planning and Development Director Bruce Knight, FAICP, led a pro bono planning assistance team in West Melbourne, Florida, January 25-29.  Volunteering their time and expertise,  Knight led a team of professional planners on a Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) Project for the American Planning Association (APA). The CPAT program matches communities with little or no planning […]


City of Champaign Again Recognized as a Most Progressive City

For the second consecutive year, Ameren Illinois has selected the City of Champaign as a Most Progressive City. The City of Champaign was selected thanks in large part to significant energy efficiency improvements and savings achieved by Champaign’s local businesses and residents during the last year. A public recognition ceremony will be held on Thursday, […]


Healey Street Converted From One-Way to Two-Way Traffic

On Friday, September 4, 2015, the City of Champaign Traffic and Lighting Division will be replacing signage on Healey Street, between First Street and Fourth Street, in order to convert Healey Street from one-way westbound traffic into two-way traffic. No lane closures are anticipated as part of the signage replacement, and no restriping will need […]


City of Champaign Awarded $50,000 from SBA’s “Start-Up In a Day” Competition

The City of Champaign was awarded the U.S. Small Business Association’s (SBA) first ever “Start-Up in a Day: Start Small” competition. Champaign was one of 25 cities selected out of 100 applicants. The SBA announced the winners at the White House Demo Day on Tuesday, August 4th. The $50,000 award will help fund the development, […]