Empowering Small Businesses in Champaign: A Conversation with T.J. Blakeman
Are you looking to start or grow your business? The City of Champaign is here to help! In the latest episode of Champaign Spotlight, T.J. Blakeman (Senior Planner for Economic Development) shares information with budding entrepreneurs about City services and programs available to help make their businesses successful. Learn how your business can benefit from […]
Economic Sustainability Efforts during COVID-19
The City’s Planning and Development Department has been engaged in a number of efforts to promote economic sustainability in our community during and after the issuance of the Governor’s Stay at Home Order as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Much of this work has been done with our countywide economic development partners including the […]
Planning & Development Staff Presents Small Business Incentives
Senior Planner for Economic Development T.J. Blakeman presented the City’s Small Business Incentive Program at Small Business Week, hosted by the Small Business Development Center. Approximately twenty entrepreneurs and service providers attended the event. Entrepreneurs were excited to learn about opportunities for financial assistance with financial, marketing, and legal start up expenses. Service providers including […]
Zone Champaign
Zone Champaign is a project in the Planning and Development Department to update the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The first phase of the update focuses on the districts in the core of the city including Downtown, Midtown, Campustown and the neighborhoods surrounding them. Changes to be considered include the regulations for the design and scale of […]
What You Should Know Before Placing a Real Estate Sign
It’s that season–to buy and sell real estate; the City usually starts to see an increase in real estate signs being placed around town. The Champaign City Code provides specific regulations on the placement, number, and size of signage allowed. These regulations are intended to allow real estate agents to effectively market a property while […]
Outdoor Café Season in Full Swing
This year’s outdoor café season is in full swing in the Center City. The Planning and Development Department has currently issued 26 permits totally over 11,800 SF of public sidewalk with a capacity of 1,314 patrons. Since its inception in 1996, the outdoor café program has been credited as one of the major turning points […]
Urban Ag as Community & Economic Development Tour
Staff from the Neighborhood Services, Planning and Development Departments, and Council member Will Kyles attended a tour of Urban Agriculture sites in Chicago on Friday, March 7. The tour was organized by Prosperity Gardens with participation from University of Illinois Extension, Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, Randolph Street Community Garden, and more. Attendees toured […]
Burnham County Market Development Agreement Concluded
In 2006, the City Council approved a development agreement with Neimann Foods for development of the grocery store space associated with the Burnham Redevelopment project. The agreement provided for the reimbursement of local sales and food and beverage taxes for a period of 5 years beginning from the date of operation or up to $715,000, […]
Taylor Street Balconies Completed
On November 5, 2013, Council gave the final approval for a license agreement to Lois Wacholtz, owner of Christopher’s Fine Jewelry Design, to update the building façade, create a new store entrance, and construct new balconies extending over the Right-of-Way on Taylor Street just east of Neil Street. The balconies were recently completed along with […]
Township and Fire District Reimbursement
In accordance with State law, after annexation of property, the City of Champaign is required to reimburse the Townships and Fire Districts for the loss of revenue they experience. The City reimburses the townships for ten years after an annexation, and the fire districts are reimbursed for five years, with the amount decreasing by twenty […]