A couple MTD updates on "The Yards" downtown development and a new SafeRides app below. The MTD Board of Directors approved the scope of the Illinois Terminal expansion as part of "The Yards" planning in downtown Champaign. From the News-Gazette last Thursday:
The board will also be asked to say yes to the scope of MTD's share of this project, which would include it covering $25 million of the $200 million-plus overall cost...Full article with more information here. Previous update on MTD and "The Yards" here and specifically about their previous grant applications falling through and plans moving forward here. The information packet for the meeting described the vote to approve or not like this:
The Yards is being undertaken as a partnership between the MTD, city of Champaign and private developers, and so far that includes plans to expand the MTD's Illinois Terminal building and to add new retail and office space, apartments, a hotel and athletic arena.
The MTD already took a step forward by signing a contract with a consultant last month to get its part of the project through the pre-construction phase.
The MTD's share will include an expansion and renovation of the terminal, an expansion of bus platforms and coverage of part of the cost of a mixed-use facility with parking, retail and commercial space. Another 24,248 square feet would be added to the approximately 50,000-square-foot terminal building, which would remain four stories and expand to the south, Gnadt said...
The MTD anticipates entering into an agreement with the private developer, Core Spaces, and also receiving a decision on federal grant money this year.
Construction is expected to start next year and run through 2023, according to the MTD.
- Approval of the presented scope for Illinois Terminal Expansion and The Yards project. This will allow the District to move forward on the planning process with the project partners.
- Do not approve the presented scope for Illinois Terminal Expansion and The Yards project. This would stall progress on the District’s renovation and expansion of Illinois Terminal and passenger platform. If improvements are not made to Illinois Terminal, the District will not have the ability to respond to the adjacent development, causing safety and accessibility concerns.
In the meeting a vote against was described as letting the surrounding community go forward with decision making on the project without MTD playing a role in those decisions. The vote passed unanimously in roll call vote. Update: More coverage (including before footprint and after maps) at the News-Gazette here and Smile Politely here.
The Daily Illini had information on MTD's new SafeRides app last week as well:
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District has recently released a SafeRides app for the campus community, which can be used to request a SafeRide. However, students are still able to order a ride through the SafeRides number.
The purpose of SafeRides is to provide safe transportation to students who are traveling alone when there is a lack of other transportation methods, such as buses.
Riders can now search “MTD Connect” in both Apple or Android stores and download the app for free. After downloading the app, users must create an account to use it. The app allows individuals to submit their preferred destination address, which functions similar to how one would do with Uber or Lyft.
“The app removes the guesswork from booking a SafeRide. By entering an origin and destination, the app pulls the geographic data of the boundaries and the fixed-route service to determine SafeRides eligibility,” Soliman said. “Users do not need to call to ask if a SafeRide is available. They can simply enter their address and, if eligible, their van will be on its way with a trackable ETA at their fingertips.”
More at the full article here.
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