CHAMPAIGN — Construction crews are nearing completion on the first phase of a project intended to create a downtown destination for community members and visitors alike.
“The idea for the plaza is that it can be the red carpet to our community,” said Daniel Saphiere, associate city planner in Champaign. “This is the place you bring people to on their first visit when you’re giving them a tour.”
The city hopes to partially open Phase 1 of Neil Street Plaza to the public in May.
Saphiere explained that while the stage decking has gone in, the canopy that will go over the stage has been delayed, so this particular area will likely remain fenced off initially and not open until July, which would mark one year from when construction began.
There is also some electrical work that needs to be done, so the timing of when the stage could be ready for use is uncertain.
“We’re hoping that everyone can go in in May and think of it as kind of like a ‘soft launch,” Saphiere said.
“We’ll probably have a ribbon-cutting or maybe a bigger event to celebrate the full opening once the stage canopy’s in,” he said.
Phase 1 of the project focuses on renovating the area near the One Main building at the northeast corner of Neil, Main and Church streets.
Construction crews have been buffing and pouring concrete, and this phase is getting closer to completion every day, Saphiere said.
The stage decking, wood-capped seats and soil have been put in. Planters, trees and bench swings should follow soon.
Saphiere also noted that a historic well at the site has been protected during construction and will continue to be a part of the plaza.
The city tentatively hopes to begin construction of Phase 2 of Neil Street Plaza in the summer of 2026 and finish it by the end of the 2027 construction season, Saphiere said.
Phase 2 is located on the plaza’s north end, between Hill and Washington streets. According to Saphiere, the plan for this portion of the project currently includes:
- Planters with seating.
- A public lawn.
- Two play areas.
- A pop-jet fountain.
- Movable seating.
- Bench swings.
- Movable kiosks that could be used to sell local goods or be leased to businesses short-term.
- A raised intersection at Neil and Hill streets to slow down traffic.
- Renovating the alleyway south of The Orpheum Champaign and turning it into a path to access the parking lot at Fremont and Washington streets.
- A “curbless one-way southbound drive aisle from Washington Street that follows the historic Hickory Street right of way” with angled parking, including ADA spaces.
- Reconstructing a portion of Washington Street.
The city is also considering adding restrooms and storage on the lot north of the Orpheum.
The two phases are currently estimated to cost about $18.2 million altogether, though Saphiere noted that the next phase of engineering could lead to updated figures.
Funding sources include $12.5 million in grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, as well as capital improvement funds and revenue from the Downtown Fringe tax-increment-financing district.
“Plaza construction costs are $3 million for Phase 1 and $12 million for Phase 2,” Saphiere said. “City engineers bill their time to projects, so their time and consultant costs contribute to the total $18.2 million figure (much of which comes from the Downtown Fringe TIF).”
More information on the project is available at engagechampaign.org.
