Updated 5/22/24: State Grant Funds Full Plaza Construction

On May 21, 2024, City Council unanimously voted to accept a $12 million grant from the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to fully fund the Downtown Plaza's construction. This grant will primarily be used towards Phase 2 construction costs and engineering services.

Phase 2 of the Downtown Plaza consists of several components:

• Surface Parking Lot. The surface parking lot at Neil and Washington will be transformed into a public plaza accessible to people of all ages and lifestyles. Raised planter beds with integrated seating include shade trees to provide canopy and cool the space. A pop jet fountain would occupy the center of the plaza, enclosed by two small business kiosks and a public lawn. The two kiosks will host local start-up retailers allowing them to showcase their products. The public lawn would feature grass for lounging, picnics, and public programming. Bench swing seating, movable seating beneath trees, and nature play structures for children would surround these features. Tall canopy trees would be planted along Neil to shade pedestrians, allow views of businesses on the plaza, and separate the plaza space from traffic on Neil Street. Bicycle parking would be added along Neil and Washington to accommodate active transportation.
  A rendering of the downtown plaza public lawn

  
  

• Shared Street. A single southbound shared vehicle/pedestrian lane along building fronts on the historic Hickory Street Right of Way will provide access for cars from Washington Street. The shared lane is curbless and demarcated with bollards to prevent vehicles from entering the main plaza areas. The lane allows for ADA accessible parking in front of businesses, while also facilitating special event set-up. Access to this lane would be controlled so the entire space could close to automobile traffic. Because it is curbless, or at-grade with the plaza, pedestrians would not need to negotiate curbs or ramps when using the area, improving accessibility. Design features are being considered (shown as transparent panels below) to illustrate Champaign history.
  A rendering of the curbless street, with panels that could showcase local culture and history

  
  

• Lot South of Orpheum. The lot south of The Orpheum Theater will provide access to the public parking lot on Fremont Street and in the public parking lot at Walnut and Washington Streets. This entrance to the plaza will accommodate art, shade structures, seating and, plantings. It could also be used as a space for smaller events. It will provide a welcoming gateway to the plaza and nearby businesses.
• Traffic Interventions.Funding will also allow for partial reconstruction of the streets adjacent to the Downtown Plaza – Phase 2. Washington Street and Neil Street will include additional on-street parking spaces. The intersection of Hill and Neil Streets will be reconstructed as a raised intersection or speed table, which will extend the main pedestrian entrance into the Downtown Plaza to the west side of Hill Street. This will improve access to the Hill Street Parking Deck and the planned future hotel. This design ensures that pedestrians are not required to find a ramp or step down from a curb to cross Neil Street into the plaza. It will also force traffic to slow down when entering Downtown.
  A rendering of the full Downtown Plaza, facing south from Neil and Washington

  
  

For more information on this project, please view the Report to Council (CB 2024-078) or a recording (video) of the May 21, 2024 regularly scheduled City Council meeting.