Champaign City Council to discuss summer nightlife revitalization, construction funding
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign City Council is set to meet Tuesday night, and discuss several summer entertainment topics and construction projects.
Neil Street Improvement
The Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Champaign are set to sign off on improving Neil Street between Springfield Avenue and Windsor Road. The cost of it is not-to-exceed $798,994.
IDOT seeks council approval to make Champaign street safer
The work includes patching, milling and resurfacing, as well as modernizing the traffic lights on Neil Street at the Windsor Road, Knollwood Drive, Devonshire Drive, Fox Drive, Kirby Avenue, Stadium Drive, and Green Avenue.
Work on Neil Street, if approved, will start in Fall 2024. Officials hope construction will finish by December 2025.
Live Entertainment Grants
The City Council is also looking to fund to reimburse downtown businesses holding live music and comedians in a fund to encourage more venues to host entertainment.
Project aims to energize nightlife in downtown Champaign
The fund would cover up to $1,000 in compensation for performers, and each business can be awarded up to $5,000. In order to be eligible for the event, the business must be located on the map within the city’s boundary, as shown below.
City officials ask businesses seeking reimbursement for multiple events to include a variety of genres to attract diverse audiences. The city has budgeted $100,000 for the program.
Private Security for Downtown
Also on the agenda for the meeting is approving a contract with Securitas for private security for the Market Street Entertainment District.
Increased security could soon come to downtown Champaign
The company would offer services for the downtown special district that would run on Market Street. The street would be closed to vehicle traffic from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Friday nights from May 23 to October 31.
According to the memo, the contract is designed to allow for seven security officers and one supervisor for each 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday night shift. Security’s main priorities would be checking bags and IDs and handing out wristbands as proof of being over the age of 19.
The full city council agenda can be found on Champaign’s website. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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