Phase 1 Groundbreaking on Friday 7/12/24

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Champaign City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with A&R Mechanical Services and Clark Dietz to build and provide engineering services for Phase I of the Downtown Plaza project. A&R, a business headquartered in Urbana, Illinois, plans to use minority- or women-owned subcontractors for 19% of the work. Phase 1 construction is scheduled to begin on July 15, 2024 and conclude before May 2, 2025. To mitigate impacts to neighboring businesses, work along buildings and within licensed outdoor cafe areas will be delayed to September 15, 2024. To offset the loss of dining spots after September 15, City staff have met with local business owners and plan to add outdoor dining space along Main Street just south of Big Grove Tavern.

This first phase of the project will redesign and modestly expand One Main Plaza northward to include landscaping with bench seating, movable furniture, bench swings, and a permanent performing arts stage. If you are interested in this project and downtown's future, please join us for a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday July 12th at 4:30 p.m. on the northeast corner of Main Street and Neil Street. Light refreshments will be provided.

Read the Council Bill here or watch a recording of the July 2, 2024 City Council meeting here.

See this item as reported by the News-Gazette and WCIA.