Downtown Plaza Construction

🎉 Downtown Plaza Update: Now (Mostly) Open! + Canopy Lift & More 🎉

Spring has officially sprung—and so has the Downtown Plaza! Construction on Phase 1 is nearly complete, and most of the site is now open for use. Stop by and explore the new tables, trees, pathways, and more.

This week, a crane lifted the stage canopy frame into place, giving downtown a bold new backdrop (see video of the installation). While the stage area remains fenced off, installation of its final pieces (canopy roof, ramp railing, and screening panels) will continue over the next few weeks as materials arrive. Expect a temporary lane closure on Neil Street when the canopy goes in and keep an eye out for signs.

Next to Neil Street, crews are preparing the bench swings. Trellis frames are expected next week, and swings will be installed as parts are delivered. We’ll use cones and barrels to help guide pedestrian traffic while that work wraps up.

Still to come are more spring plantings (rolling installation as they become available), irrigation and mulch, and light poles and electrical work. The sculpture Pointless will be temporarily removed for repairs and recoating before it returns to its new home in the planter next to Big Grove. Meanwhile, Strider has found a new, more prominent home by Neil Street—stop by and say hello!

Earlier this week, Mayor Deb Feinen and City Manager Joan Walls visited the site for a sneak peek and a friendly chess match at one of the new tables. Both the Mayor and City Manager expressed their excitement for residents, employees, and visitors to experience this space downtown.

Scott McIntosh, manager of Big Grove, came out to see who was winning this chess game and expressed excitement for programming in the new plaza space. Photo taken April 22, 2025. Planners Lily Wilcock and Mia Trevino discussed aspects of the plaza such as outlets in planters to charge your phones. City Manager Joan Walls commented that the plaza's unique features were very nice, but that she was most excited for community members to come together and connect in this space. Photo taken April 22, 2025.Plantings are being installed as they arrive! More will come in the fall so they have the best chance to grow. Photo taken April 22, 2025.Light poles will be installed as they arrive on site. In the background, traffic barrels denote the location of a future bench swing. Photo taken April 22, 2025.

That's all for this week folks! Come check out the plaza when you have a chance and stay tuned for future updates. For now, enjoy this photo of "Mayor Tyler Moore."

🌸 Spring is popping—and so is the Downtown Plaza! 🌸

Construction crews have been on a roll downtown: pouring and sandblasting concrete, planting trees, installing new bike racks, and finishing the stage decking. There are still a few final touches but…the plaza is open!

Nearby restaurants like Big Grove have already set up outdoor dining to take advantage of the space. Existing public sculptures have been relocated and installed in planters. Bench swings and the stage canopy will arrive and be installed over the next few weeks. Trees are in, and additional landscaping will be planted as it becomes available (with more to come in the fall so it has the best chance to grow).

🎶 While we’re wrapping up the final touches to the space, City staff are preparing for summer fun. Partnerships with The Land Connection, Champaign Park District, and 40 North will bring three weekly concert series to the Downtown Plaza:

• Rhythm & Roots – Live music during the Tuesday Farmers Market, 3–6pm

• Sound Bites – A lunchtime series on Thursdays, 11:45am–1:15pm

• Friday Night Live – returns Fridays, 6–9pm—with a new location in the Plaza!

🌱 And there’s even more to look forward to! City staff are working with landscape architects and 40North to design Phase 2, scheduled to break ground in 2026. The next phase will include a public lawn, pop jet fountain, small business kiosks, and more. The intent for this plaza—funded by $12.5 million in state grants—is to provide more public green space downtown, benefit nearby businesses, and be the first place you bring visitors.

From unique bike racks to wood-capped seating with accessibility cutouts, every detail in the plaza contributes to this space being one for everyone to relax, gather, and celebrate. Come out and explore the space!

A view of the Downtown Plaza, facing north from Main Street. Photo taken April 18, 2025. Kris Koester, Administrative Services Manager for Champaign Public Works, enjoys the new seating. Photo taken April 18, 2025.Try your hand at our new chess table and take in the views of existing public art that has been relocated. Photo taken April 18, 2025.

This sculpture, called "Strider," was relocated from the parking lot to the north to a more prominent location in Phase 1 of the Plaza. Photo taken April 18, 2025.

Trees are in and electrical work is happening now! Light poles, bench swings, and the stage canopy will be installed over the next few weeks. Photo taken April 18, 2025.

Spring is in the air, and so is excitement for the new Downtown Plaza! While Champaign has been soaking up the sunshine, our construction crews have been hard at work getting the space ready for you. Mark your calendars—Phase 1 opens in early May! While the stage needs a little extra time (coming in July), you’ll still get to enjoy bench swings, planters, and open space starting this Spring. Plus, we’re planning great events like Friday Night Live (hosted by 40North), the Farmer’s Market (hosted by The Land Connection), and a lunchtime music series to bring the plaza to life!

Trees arrive this spring, followed by more landscaping in the fall to give them the best chance to thrive. Below is a sneak peek of some of the new seating options coming your way! Check out the tiered benches built into planters, topped with smooth wood for a comfortable spot to relax. These benches are perfect for taking in the plaza's open space, enjoying live music, or catching up with a friend.

Also shown below is an overhead view of construction progress, a look at the stage foundation taking shape, and close-ups of the new seating.

A photo of the plaza construction progress as of early March 2025, facing northeast.

A photo of construction workers preparing the stage foundation.

A close-up photo of the tiered seating (featuring a real bird).

An even closer look at the wood-capped seating.

Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to opening day!

Work on Phase 1 of the Downtown Plaza is moving forward as the construction team takes advantage of mild weather to keep the project on track. This week, crews are focusing on completing additional paving in the area north of the One Main breezeway doors. Once finished, fencing will shift to create a wider walkway connecting the breezeway doors to Anthem.

While the crew will work as long as weather cooperates, cold temperatures in December will likely pause construction until early spring. The unfinished portion of the site will remain fenced to ensure safety and protect the project. For now, all work will remain within the currently fenced area. An update will be shared when construction pauses for the season, and regular progress updates will resume in early 2025 when work restarts. Thank you for your ongoing patience and support as we build this exciting new space. We hope to see you at the Parade of Lights on Saturday, November 30th! Stay tuned for more updates in the new year.

Construction of the new Downtown Plaza is progressing nicely and weather has been cooperative. The sidewalk along the building is re-opening. Beginning on Monday, October 28th, the area shown below in lavender will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Anthem will have access from the south (Main Street) during this time, but not from the north (parking lot). Big Grove Tavern and One Main will have access only from the south during this time. By the end of the week, that section should be reopened. The contractor is working to keep these closure times as short as possible and we appreciate your patience.

This week, construction work focused on sidewalk pouring and the completion of water main replacement. The Neil Street crosswalk has reopened, and pedestrians can now pass through the south end of the plaza. Early next week, the area highlighted in blue will be poured, allowing the temporary removal of construction fencing near the building. Starting Tuesday, October 22, the contractor will begin sidewalk removal and replacement in the orange area, restricting pedestrian traffic for the remainder of the week. Access to Big Grove Tavern and the One Main entrance will be available from the south via Main Street, with work expected to be completed by Friday, October 25.

Here’s the latest update on the Downtown Plaza construction progress: Last week, the contractor poured a large portion of the new sidewalk, with about 80% set to receive a light sandblast finish early this week. This process may be loud and messy, so the contractor is working to minimize any inconvenience. Paving will shift closer to the building this week, beginning at the south end, and temporarily moving north-south pedestrian traffic closer to the building. Concrete bases for new light poles and the perimeters of future landscape beds are also being poured this week. Water main work is almost complete, and Illinois American Water (ILAW) will be in touch with individual customers to schedule brief service interruptions for switching to the new main. For water-related questions, please reach out to the ILAW project manager, Eric LaReau (eric.lareau@amwater.com). For more details, you can watch Lacey Rains' October 2 presentation to the Plan Commission or check out the Study Session Report for updates on the Downtown Plaza and other nearby projects.

Cooperative weather has allowed our construction crews to make steady progress on Downtown Plaza construction. Last week, the contractor poured walls for landscape planters near the south end of the site. They also poured the first section of sidewalk (picture below).

The Neil Street lane closure allowed the contractor to pour new curbs at the two Neil Street ramp locations. The ramps are scheduled to be built this week. The contractor will continue forming and pouring walls for landscape beds and pouring more sidewalk along the Big Grove Tavern dining area.

Water main materials should arrive this week, allowing Illinois American Water (ILAW) to begin the water main replacement. Any service interruptions will be coordinated/scheduled with individual property owners by ILAW or their contractor. If you have specific questions related to water main work and service interruptions, please contact the project manager for ILAW on this project, Eric LaReau (Eric.LaReau@amwater.com).

Last week, the contractor installed sections of the site's underdrain system and completed demolition, storm sewer work, and grading at the south end of the site. This week, they will begin working on the landscape planters. Weather permitting, they will also place an aggregate base course to prepare for the first of many concrete sidewalk pours.

On Monday (9/30), the contractor will saw the existing concrete adjacent to the construction fencing near Big Grove's dining area. This operation will be noisy and dusty, but the work is expected to take less than an hour.

From Tuesday (10/1) to Thursday (10/3), one lane of Neil Street, between Hill Street and Main Street, will be closed as the contractor works on the curb and sidewalk ramp near the south end of the site.

Illinois American Water (ILAW) will soon begin the water main replacement. Any service interruptions will be scheduled and coordinated with individual property owners by ILAW or their contractor. For specific questions about the water main work or service interruptions, please contact ILAW Project Manager Eric LaReau at Eric.LaReau@amwater.com.

Work continues on Phase 1 of the Downtown Plaza. The below photo was taken the morning of September 20 from the Hyatt parking deck. For a more comprehensive overview of the Downtown Plaza construction timeline, consider attending the City of Champaign Plan Commission meeting at 102 N Neil Street at 4pm on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

It has been one week since work began on the area highlighted in blue below. The contractor has nearly finished all of the demolition work and will be concentrating on the remaining storm sewer and electrical work in that area. Once that is complete, they can begin the work of constructing curbs, planter walls and pavement. The crosswalk on the Neil Street side will remain closed, but the Main Street and Hill Street crossings remain open. Work on this phase is estimated to take four to five more weeks to complete.

Illinois American Water (ILAW) is preparing to begin work on the water main replacement within the Plaza as early as next week. ILAW will construct the new water main parallel to the old. Per ILAW, the only service interruption would be 1-2 hours when each service is changed over to the new main; that would take place about 5-10 days after water main work begins and would be coordinated/scheduled with individual property owners by ILAW or their contractor. As more information becomes available to the City we will pass it along, however, if you have specific questions related to water main work and service interruptions, please contact the project manager for ILAW on this project, Eric LaReau (Eric.LaReau@amwater.com).