Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
The City of Champaign will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of construction for the first phase of the new Downtown Plaza. The event is scheduled for July 12, 2024, at 4:30 pm at 1 E. Main Street. Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen and State Senator Paul Faraci will deliver remarks during the ceremony. Refreshments will be provided by Big Grove Tavern.
The Downtown Plaza project aims to create a community gathering space in downtown Champaign. This initiative follows the adoption of the Neil Street Plaza Placemaking Plan by the Champaign City Council in 2019, which involved 18 months of public input and outreach. Residents contributed their ideas and visions for transforming a city-owned parking lot into a vibrant and accessible public plaza.
The project will be executed in two phases. Phase one includes a performance stage, seating areas, bench swings, decorative lighting, and public art. It is partially funded by a $500,000 Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Phase two, commencing in 2026 with funding from a $12 million DCEO grant, will feature a great lawn, small business kiosks, interactive lighting, pop-jet fountains, among other amenities.
For more information about the project and updates on construction progress, visit engagechampaign.org.
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