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Campustown Champaign, Illinois Redefining
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
Redefining
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
Redefining
Green Street (0.7 mi)
MacArthur Boulevard (1.7 mi)
1,9704681,860Decatur
2,06454116,482Springfield
2,54344112,936Peoria
2,8802374,975Bloomington
3,43337127,031Bloomington/Normal
3,4681239,484Urbana
3,6871452,056Normal
3,95629114,738Champaign/Urbana
3,9751775,254Champaign
Population Density
(Per square mile)
Land Area
(square miles)PopulationCity
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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CB Central Business DistrictCG Commercial General District
University
Center
Railway Tracks
Refinery
Park Place Tower
Dominos Post Office
309 Tower
Skylight Court
Walgreens
Illini Media
Green St. Tower
Urban
Outfitters
Freestar
Bank
Surface ParkingCommercialResidential Other (Setbacks, Driveways)
More than
60% paved
for
automobiles
Locust St
First St
Second St
Fourth St
Fifth St
Sixth St
Wright St
Railway Tracks
Third St
Springfield Ave.
Healey St.
Green St.
John St.
Daniel St.
Chalmers St.
CBCG
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Green Street Statistics
Phase 1 - Completed 2002 Cost - $8.4 millionIncluded - new sidewalks, street lights, landscape, street furniture, storm and storm sewersPrimary Funding – Food and Beverage Tax and Campustown Special Service Area
Phase 2 – Scheduled for 2016Estimated Cost - $9 million)Primary Funding – Food and Beverage Tax and New Campustown Special Service Area
Population Density within 1.5 mile of Green Street ~ 24,000/ square mile
Need for ChangeNeed for Change
• Deferred Maintenance led to crumbling sidewalks and curbs
• Major streetscape upgrades had not occurred since 1960’s.
• Streets Designed for Maximum Traffic Capacity
• Drive Through Businesses Destroyed Urban Fabric
• Pedestrians took a back seat to cars.
Need for ChangeNeed for Change
• Flooding was a regular occurrence and a major barrier to Campustown redevelopment and economic growth.
• Boneyard Storm water Detention project was an element of this streetscape work.
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
Redefining
Need for ChangeNeed for Change
• A partnership between the City of Champaign, Business Owners, the University of Illinois and the City of Urbana was forged to transform Green Street in 2001
• Campus Area Transportation Study recommended transportation enhancement throughout Campustown including Green Street
• Goal was to redefine Campustown into a viable commercial area for students and a gateway to the University of Illinois’ Flagship Campus.
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Goals for RedevelopmentGoals for Redevelopment
• Higher pedestrian activity
• Safe environment for all modes of traffic
• Minimize cross town thru traffic
• Create a thriving business environment
• Define a look and feel
• CREATE A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO BE
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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DesignDesign
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Changing a CultureChanging a Culture
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Automobile
Bus
Pedestrian
Bicycle
Old Model
Automobile
Bus
Pedestrian
Bicycle
New Model
Changing a Culture Changing a Culture The Road DietThe Road Diet
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
Redefining
Narrowing Green Street From Four
lanes to Three
Benefits
• Center turn lane reduces dangerous lane shifts
• Wider sidewalks to buffer pedestrians from cars and increase pedestrian counts
• Slower traffic creates safer feeling
• Slower speeds discourage cut thru traffic
Cons
• Travel times will increase (slightly)
• Hard to sell - Public perception says more lanes equals better roads
• Business believe fewer cars equals less business
Design Design SidewalksSidewalks
• Wider design to create two corridors (protection and travel)
• Curb Bump outs to shorten crossing distances
• Countdown crosswalks/all walk crossing cycle
• High visibility crosswalks
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Design Design AmenitiesAmenities
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Economic ImpactsEconomic Impacts
Building Construction
1997 – 5 Fast Food Suburban Models (McDonalds,
Burger King, Wendy’s, Steak n’ Shake, and Arby’s)
2007 – Over 25 restaurants and only one Suburban Fast Food Structure (Pizza Hut)
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Economic ImpactsEconomic ImpactsNew Food/Entertainment
New restaurants since 2002. Five new restaurants opening this summer.
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Economic ImpactsEconomic ImpactsNew Housing
• Over 600 new residential units
• Over $400 million in new construction has occurred in the University District since 2007.
• Addition of “necessary” services such as grocery and retail puts the needs of residents within walking distance.
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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Economic ImpactsEconomic ImpactsNew Retail – The Next Wave
• Mixture of Local and National Fashion Retail/Restaurants
• Expected increase in national fashion retail with the entrance of Urban Outfitters
• Pedestrian Traffic outweighs lack of abundant parking.
CampustownChampaign, Illinois
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CampustownChampaign, Illinois
Redefining
Questions?Questions?
T.J. Blakeman, AICP
City of Champaign Planning Department
102 North Neil Street
Champaign, IL. 61820
(217) 403-8800
