Category: Planning & Development Department News

City of Champaign to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Downtown Plaza

Transformative Project Ushers in New Era of Reinvestment in Downtown Champaign The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking celebration to kick off construction of the first phase of the new Downtown Plaza. The ceremony will be held at 1 E. Main Street on July 12, 2024, at 4:30 pm. The celebration will include remarks […]


EDDIT Site Visit and Symposium

On June 5 and 6, 2024, staff from Equity and Engagement, Public Works, and Neighborhood Services Departments participated in the Equitable Development Data Insight Training (EDDIT) site visit. EDDIT, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, offers specialized data analysis and storytelling training for nonprofit, community, and government organizations dedicated to promoting urban equity in […]


Annual Juneteenth Celebration

On June 15, 2024 the Champaign Park District hosted their Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Douglass Park. Juneteenth commemorates the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half […]


The Beat Kicked Off In a Big Way!

May 31 was the official kick off for The Beat Downtown Champaign! The Beat is a new campaign to bring more music, entertainment, and culture to Downtown. The Beat aims to attract residents and visitors from diverse backgrounds, provide a safe and inclusive space to enjoy entertainment, to showcase Downtown’s unique shops and businesses, and […]


The Beat

The City is thrilled to announce the launch of the downtown entertainment district’s official logo “The Beat.” Unveiled at a Council study session on May 7, 2024, the Beat encompasses all of the downtown entertainment district. Boasting a wide variety of entertainers and programs for the community to enjoy, The Beat will allow community members […]


North First Street | Designated Cultural District

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the City of Champaign’s North First Street has been selected as one of the ten inaugural State Designated Cultural Districts.  Launched in 2023, the State-Designated Cultural Districts program aims to uplift the unique contributions of historic cultural districts with the overarching goal of increasing […]


City of Champaign Location Selected as Inaugural State-Designated Cultural District

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the City of Champaign’s North First Street has been selected as one of the ten inaugural State Designated Cultural Districts. The North First Street Cultural District, which is home to sections of the African American Cultural Trail and newly redesigned Skelton Park, contains landmarks […]


City of Champaign Seeks Public Input on Priority Bicycle Projects

Creating safe streets for everybody remains a priority for the City of Champaign which has been adding new bicycle lanes to street construction projects across the community. To facilitate this work the City created a new prioritization process and created a list of projects to help guide future construction. Residents can download the list of […]


City Celebrates Staff for Service and Values

The annual Employee Awards and Service Recognition Ceremony was held on November 15, 2023. This event celebrates the accomplishments and service of City of Champaign staff honored with either an employee award or for achieving a career milestone. This year’s celebration honored 83 employees who received an individual or team award. These staff members were […]