2002 Action Plan

Initiative

Project

Responsibility

Priority

Action Steps

1. Undertake formal adoption process.
2. Notify County, University and Carle Hospital of adoption and request them to affirm of support of plan.
3. Call meeting of major property owners, explain plan, and request support of plan.

1. Work with small stakeholder group to encourage local business and property owner commitment and support of a downtown development corporation.
2. Establish a Downtown Coordinator within the Corporation.

1. Designate full-time individual within City focused on the advancement of downtown. Base job description on that typical of “mall manager” or downtown coordinator of successful downtown development programs.

1. Appoint commission.
2. Reaffirm purpose.
3. Staff Commission with  Downtown Development Coordinator.
4. Establish yearly work program.
5. Appoint representative from Private / Non-Profit Development Corporation
6. Appoint representative from Urbana City Council.
7. Review and refine TIF and other city downtown programs and zoning to bring in line with downtown plan.
8. Implement city-assigned components of downtown plan.
9. Initiate Request for Proposals for major projects identified in plan.

1. Designate Green and Broadway Streets as downtown bicycle access streets, prepare bicycle-friendly cross sections; coordinate construction with CIP.
2. Assess amount and location of bicycle racks in downtown. Coordinate fixture selection as part of streetscape design, specify locations and formulate adjacent development purchase program.

1. Prepare plans for redevelopment of Rail ROW when abandoned to become a bike path extending from at least Lincoln Avenue to County Farm Complex west of Vine. Secure Illinois Bicycle Grant from state for reconstruction.

1. Meet with City and University to introduce concept and determine merits of feasibility testing.

1. Reassess combined downtown parking need based upon plan direction.
2. Identify specific parcels for new parking according to plan.
3. Review present parking policy to allow contributions to a city parking fund in lieu of on-site parking in Main Street, Office and Government Districts. Require off-street parking provision in Housing, Auto Oriented and Small Business Districts.

1. Designate locations of public squares per plan.
2. Assess and promote design and construction of “Post Office” Square per plan discussions.
3. Design and construct Main-Springfield Square in coordination with Main Street Streetscape improvements.
4. Finalize location, design and construction of Broadway Square in coordination with Broadway redevelopment activities.

1. Redesign park to accommodate improved access via bike trail reuse of Rail ROW when abandoned. This should become key access route into park from downtown.

1. Establish a business, housing and institutional recruitment program.
2. Meet with University and Parkland College to determine if any program, offices or facilities might be located downtown.
3. Discuss creation of financial assistance program for new business with the City.

1. Develop and promulgate calendar of downtown events.
2. Meet with local groups to identify other events that can be accommodated downtown.
3. Prepare five-year plan of events.
4. Consider greater use of Lincoln Square Mall for community events.

1. Encourage the coordination of events and hours of operation between the Market at the Square and Lincoln Square Mall in order to benefit both entities.
2. Test feasibility of expanding.
3. Market at the Square to limited operation during selected weekdays and hours. Consider expanding season.
4. Continue recruitment of additional vendors.
5. Consider an indoor location for market events in winter months.

1. Assemble list of downtown performance locations and make available to local and other interested performance groups.
2. Assess viability of using Civic Center as performance venue and market to local groups.
3. Contact University to list downtown venue as a performance location.

1. Work with the Champaign County Arts Council to help establish downtown Urbana as an opportunity to display and promote public art.
2. Establish programs for the display of public art including murals.
3. Consider public art themes in the redesign of entryway corridors such as North Broadway Avenue.