Downtown Champaign Featured in IML Publication
The August 2023 issue of the Illinois Municipal League (IML) Review features a five-page article about the revitalization of Downtown Champaign. Written by Senior Planner for Economic Development T.J. Blakeman (Planning and Development), the article provides a great history of downtown, the challenges downtown faced during the mid-20th century, and the City’s investment in infrastructure […]
Market Street Reopened in Downtown Champaign
In March 2020, the City worked directly with Downtown businesses to lessen the impacts to business due to the statewide closure of indoor dining and other COVID-related restrictions. This included the closure of some Downtown side streets and parking spaces in order to allow businesses to provide expanded outdoor dining options for customers. The City […]
Lovin’ U Tour Stops in Downtown Champaign
On August 19, 2021, the Neighborhood Services Department, Office of Equity, Community and Human Rights, and the Community Coalition partnered with Hip-Hop Express to host a Lovin’ U Block party/concert in Downtown Champaign. The Downtown Lovin’ U tour event was held from 9-11 pm in the heart of Champaign. Event participants were treated to hip […]
Downtown Champaign Parking Lots to Close at 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Nights
Community Reminded of Rules Regarding Use of City Parking Lots and Open Containers As the State of Illinois moves into Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan, the City of Champaign anticipates welcoming more people to Downtown Champaign. The City wants all Downtown visitors to have an enjoyable experience, but to do so in a […]
Shooting Investigation – 50 block of East Main Street
On May 14, 2021, at approximately 1:27 a.m., a 28-year-old male self-reported he had been shot after arriving by personal transport at a local hospital. Upon arrival, he was found to be suffering from three non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. A short time later a second victim, a 19-year-old male, flagged down a University of Illinois Police […]
Downtown Champaign Parking Lots to Close at 9:00 PM on Weekends Through Labor Day
Avoid Large Gatherings to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 The City of Champaign will continue to promote public safety by closing the City’s downtown parking lots at Neil & Washington and Walnut & Washington at 9:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through September 6, 2020. This change is in response to large social […]
Downtown Champaign Lane Closures (North Neil Street, North Walnut Street, and Main Street)
In order to perform routine storm sewer maintenance activities, Hoerr Construction, Inc. will have lane closures in Downtown Champaign along Main Street, Neil Street, and Walnut Street. The operations will take place during the daytime hours and no overnight closures are required. Details for the lane closures and dates are provided below. March 9, 2020: […]
Downtown Champaign Commercial District Receives Designation on National Register of Historic Places
The City of Champaign is proud to announce that on January 24, 2020, the United States Department of the Interior and National Park Service added the Champaign Downtown Commercial District to the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. The new Champaign Downtown Commercial District contains 52 contributing and 11 non-contributing structures and […]
Downtown Festival District Designated in Champaign on May 31
Mayor and Liquor Commissioner Deborah Frank Feinen has designated parts of Downtown Champaign as a Festival District from 5:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019. Customers of participating restaurants and bars will be able to purchase and take open containers of alcohol from the licensed premises for consumption on public property located within the boundaries […]
Free Parking Available in Downtown Champaign this December
As a thank you for patronizing Downtown Champaign businesses and restaurants, the City of Champaign is offering free parking in the Hill Street Parking Deck from December 1 through December 31. Visitors parking in the Hill Street Parking Deck will receive up to two (2) hours of free parking. Visitors parking longer than two hours […]