Champaign Council Update

[UPDATE: In another meeting this week, yet another hurdle in the planning process was overcome as well:

Developer tight-lipped about Campustown high-rise after alley vote
The developers behind the 17-story highrise coming to Campustown said there are still several steps to go before they can talk about their project.

The Champaign City Council approved two items Wednesday that will allow CORE, a Chicago-based firm that specializes in college-town developments, to build around and widen the alley north of The Clybourne at 706 S. Sixth St.

“That was a big step, but there are several others in the process that all need to happen,”

said Tom Harrington Jr., CORE’s director of acquisitions.

While building plans have yet to be submitted, city council documents indicate the project would be 175 feet tall with about 300,000 square feet. The first floor would be commercial and the upper floors residential.

This would be the sixth highrise built since 2007, coming shortly after a development company from Minnesota announced plans in January to build a 14-story tower at the northwest corner of John and Fourth streets.]

The City of Champaign's Council helped clear a hurdle for a building project's planning process last night. The project is still in the planning stages and would need further approval beyond that. This is bound to raise concerns about affordable housing availability locally in contrast with this, which may be likely end up being more high end student housing. The News-Gazette had coverage of that and other items addressed at the meeting:

Deal paves way for new Campustown high-rise
The city council has signed off on an agreement on an alley with developers planning a 17-story high-rise on the east side of Sixth Street in Campustown.

The agreement, approved unanimously and without comment Tuesday night, is with CORE — a Chicago-based firm that specializes in college-town developments. It allows the company to modify an alley north of The Clybourne, including digging beneath it, building above it and widening it from 10 to 20 feet to allow for a fire lane and better access for garbage trucks for trash collection for surrounding businesses...

Blakeman said CORE doesn't have more exact project plans or a building permit yet.

The developer is "still basically contemplating the project and couldn't move forward without having this step clarified," Blakeman said about Tuesday's council vote...

In other business, the city council approved several liquor-code tweaks that are slated for implementation this fall:

— The changes include designating a "Downtown Festival District" for public areas near drink-serving establishments. Alcohol carrying and consumption will be legal in those areas. District rules will be followed during special events, like Friday Night Live, and won't last for more than 12 consecutive hours...

— Another tweak is permitting alcohol consumption at specialty grocery stores — also known as Sip 'n' Shop. This won't be allowed in Campustown and will be limited to 5 percent of an establishment's total sales...

— The cap on the city's Class A/AP liquor licenses will also be expanded under the changes. It will increase from 60 to 75 licenses, and will automatically expand by five licenses every five years — unless the council decides to delay or limit it.

Full article here.

[Originally posted 4/18/2018 at 12:07pm]