MTD looking into acquiring former Urbana Civic Center for bus-transfer station
Apr. 26—URBANA — The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is looking into the possibility of building a bus transfer station at the site of the former Urbana Civic Center.
MTD External Affairs Director Ashlee McLaughlin told the board at this week's meeting that the district is working with HDR Inc. to conduct a National Environmental Policy Act assessment of the property.
"We have talked with the city about the potential to develop this site, but we're not allowed to talk about or initiate the actual acquiring of the property until (the Federal Transportation Administration) has determined what the environmental impact would be of developing the site," she said.
According to McLaughlin, HDR currently estimates the work will cost $133,404 and be completed in October, though the scope of the assessment could increase if need be.
The Urbana Civic Center, which is located at 108 East Water St., opened in 1974 and was used for a variety of activities, such as weddings, public exhibitions, retirement parties and meetings.
The city closed the center in 2018. Mayor Diane Marlin said at the time that the structure had deteriorated to the point where it would cost $750,000 to $1 million to repair. Additionally, the center's expenses exceeded its revenue by $40,000 to $50,000 on an annual basis, she said.
McLaughlin said the MTD has discussed its plans for the site with both the county and city.
"What we're generally proposing at this stage, without input from an architect yet, is just to construct a new, centrally-located transit transfer facility up to three levels high that will provide opportunities for long-term leases and/or public sector condominiumization by local government stakeholders," she said.
"So essentially, a transfer center on the first floor and then additional space up top for additional public entities."
The MTD also plans to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities to "enhance connections" between the transit facility, Lincoln Square and the Kickapoo Rail Trail, she said.
The civic center site is still owned by the city of Urbana.
Marlin said that, while the project is still in its infancy, she supports the idea.
"Urbana has long needed a proper downtown transit transfer facility," she said. "Currently, transit users must wait outside in the cold and heat, and use portable toilets in the parking garage.
"We have an opportunity to build a mixed-use facility to serve transit users and others, as well as potentially provide additional commercial, retail and public event or meeting space on the former civic center site."
