Let’s Hear Your Ideas for Downtown!
April 30, 2009 by CDAdirector
Filed under Uncategorized
Have you ever been walking around Downtown and thought to yourself, I wish Downtown had _________? Downtown Champaign has come along way in a very short period and now we are wanting to hear from you about ways you think Downtown could be even better. The Champaign Downtown Association works closely with a number of partner organizations such as the City of Champaign, the Champaign Park District, and the C-U MTD. We can’t guarantee that your ideas will be implemented but what a great way to be a part of the discussion.
We would simply ask that you leave a comment below and try to be respectful in your response. There may be things that you don’t like, such as parking tickets, but let’s work on getting some good ideas out in the public.
Be sure to check out our Future Planning page under the Development tab to see all of the great things already in the works.
Thanks for helping to make Downtown Champaign a great place to visit!
How about a “Custard Cup on Main” !? + Window art in vacant properties e.g. old MJ Reed store, old Lox Stock & Bagel, etc.
The number one thing my husband and I want to see downtown is a grocery store!!! It’s crazy how, when you are in downtown Urbana, you are in walking distance of Schnucks, the Co-op, the Farmer’s Market, and all of the gourmet offerings at the Artmart. However, there is nothing equivalent in downtown Champaign! We would love to have an unique grocery store–either locally owned or a responsible chain like Trader Joes–right downtown!
I would LOVE a high-end Mexican restaurant downtown- there really isn’t one in east central Illinois. Also, PLEASE BAN those “crotch-rocket” bikes that roar through town. Also, it’d be great if re-build could happen at the “fire site” soon, but I know the city may not have control over it. What about a frozen yogurt place?
Also, more walkways and pathways from the center of downtown to the northside of downtown (to Escobars?) redevelopment there?
We absolutely love being downtown Champaign, and the connections we have made with some truly inspirational and unique individuals makes every day a positive experience! I can’t tell you how wonderful some of my mornings have been stepping off the bus and taking a stroll throughout the downtown, talking with neighborhood business owners, seeing friends on the sidewalk, grabbing a coffee and a scone, and enjoying the spring flowers as they bloom… delightful everytime.. and that’s just the morning… it gets even better as night falls!
As Ryann mentioned, we would also love to see more walk ways and sidewalk curb appeal on the Northside near the Orpheum, B. Lime, Carmons, Bentley’s, Escobars, Columbia Street, Evolve and Simply Amish. This would help create a cohesiveness with the entire downtown and show all that downtown has to offer.
Others have mentioned the need for a convenience store or grocery store. Yes, a Trader Joes would be fantastic but there is the new County Market nearby that just opened. It might also help to mention that we carry eco-friendly convenience items such as toothbrushes, razors, paper goods, tea, coffee, diapers, non-toxic cleaners, pet treats, biodegradable trash bags, sunscreen, flip flops and lip balm. Your neighborhood green general store.
Beyond that, how about some recycling stations and pet litter stations (for all the dog-walkers)? It would be great to see Downtown Champaign work to become one of the greenest downtowns in the state and for all the businesses and residents to get on board… it could happen, and we will do our part to help in any way!
Thanks all!
Wendi
B. Lime
12 E Washington
Downtown Champaign
1. grocery store
2. green space @ metropolitan building site.
3. work hard to keep the ART theatre.
4. vending carts (vienna beef, please)
5. speed bump @ main/neil to slow down motorcycles who ruin the downtown cool factor (they are FAR FROM COOL)
6. weekly farmer’s market/art market/music market (maybe on Park St)
7. readily available taxi service. guests don’t like waiting an hour at 2am
8. more street festivals. keep them rotating around downtown. like every saturday, all summer.
i can go on and on….
Bike lanes would be really nice! We are a little bit behind the curve when it comes to providing for bicyclists. It would be most helpful on the arterial streets such as University, Church, Neil (including Walnut), State and Randolph.
Honestly one of the main things would be more lighting. I mean yeah there are street lights but some of the buildings still look dark at night making downtown light up would give it more character I think
Free WiFi and tables. This would ease the crowded cafes, allow people to enjoy the outdoors (in the warmer months) and still get stuff done.
Living walking distance to downtown has been one of my treasured experiences while living in Champaign. Having an “alternative” grocery store similar to Trader Joes or Strawberry Fields would be ideal. I also support the suggestion of keeping the new open space (newly created by the fire) a green space for sitting and lounging. Downtown merchants do a terrific job of setting up out door dining for patrons, and the addition of a sitting and gathering space where community members can relax, connect, and enjoy the city rhythm would be a welcome addition.
I also support the preservation of the ART theatre as an alternative movie venue.
And if I had the investors I, myself, would rennovate the old “Howard Johnsons” on Park and State creating affordable well appointed apartments or a “modern day bed and breakfast”. WHAT a location!
Downtown Champaign contributes significantly to the quality of life in this part of the state. It is a pleasure to live here!
I am very much in favor of bringing a Trader Joe’s to town. I used to work at a Trader Joe’s near Chicago and the place is ridiculously popular wherever they pop up and would add a vibrant atmosphere to downtown Champaign. Not to mention I really, really miss their products. I’d love to see one cozy-ed up by the corner of Main and Neil where the Estate Sale was, with outdoor seating similar to what some Whole Foods stores offer. Although CM did just open, I feel it does not at all offer a selection of natural and organic foods as I originally read advertised.
I echo the need for a grocery store that is in reasonable walking distance to downtown and wholeheartedly agree that something needs to be done with the former Howard Johnson’s. We can always use more cafes with outdoor seating and free wifi with green areas!
I take back my statement about building something new at Main and Neil– existing buildings should be used, especially if it can move development toward less busy parts of downtown or areas needing refurbishing.
I work downtown, and my coworkers and I agree that it would be nice to have a general store, with magazines, candy, a few groceries, some aspirin, pencils, that kind of thing. It would be great if it were locally owned, but a chain would be OK, too.
A reasonable and nicely lit path from the new parking structure to Neil St. would be nice. As most things around Champaign, the new structure is pretty cluelessly designed. Pedestrian entrances are everywhere except where you’d want them.
But more than anything, this corrupt little cesspool of a city needs a rule of law and enforcement of city ordinances. What good is attracting people to live here if Cowboy Monkey is going to blast disco, salsa, and other awful music out on the street till 2 AM EVERY NIGHT of the week? If one tries to get the police to enforce the existing ordinances (no broadcasting of music out on the street after 11 PM, I think), they give you a polite lecture that you should have checked the place at night before signing your lease! I’ve been tricked into moving here but I am on my way out and can’t wait. Thank God I didn’t buy any property, that would have been a nightmare.
Living here must feel like living under Putin, one set of rules for the regulars (e.g., insane and hostile parking policies) and another set for the oligarchs (don’t even bother reading the city code), so the reason I am writing this is to see whether it will be posted, a test whether downtown association is really interested in actually improving anything around here.
I’d like to have pedal powered taxis.
I moved here five years ago from Chicago…I would like to say that downtown Champaign has come more than a long way!!! Tremendous efforts from the City, developers, small business owners, working professionals and residents have all played a part in the success. As a small business owner (evolve Fitness Club), I am excited to be a part of the growth. A grocery store would be amazing! And I am all for keeping the ARTS alive!!!
Honestly one of the main things would be more lighting. I mean yeah there are street lights but some of the buildings still look dark at night making downtown light up would give it more character I think
[...] Let Hear Your Ideas for Downtown Downtown Champaign Posted by root 23 minutes ago (http://www.downtownchampaign.com) We would simply ask that you leave a comment below and try to be we can always use more cafes with outdoor seating and free wifi with green areas carol on may 20th 2009 4 57 pm i 39 d like to have pedal powered taxis copyright 2008 all rights reserved con Discuss | Bury | News | Let Hear Your Ideas for Downtown Downtown Champaign [...]
[...] Let Hear Your Ideas for Downtown Downtown Champaign Posted by root 7 minutes ago (http://www.downtownchampaign.com) We would simply ask that you leave a comment below and try to be respectful in your response at night making downtown light up would give it more character i think with outdoor seating similar to what some whole foods stores offer carol on may 20th 2009 4 Discuss | Bury | News | Let Hear Your Ideas for Downtown Downtown Champaign [...]
What, if anything, is moving in at Church and State? You know, with the red and black awnings and red sidewalk?
It’s actually Church and Randolph. Pavlov media has moved upstairs and the ground floor is going to be new headquarters for Clark Dietz Engineering.