Featured Stories

The R-7 Zoning Update and Meeting

Submitted by BridgetB on November 30, 2021 - 11:44am

The R-7, University Residential zoning district is intended to provide areas for dormitories and rooming houses near the University of Illinois, and to insure the longevity, architectural character, and use of the existing buildings in the district. While the R-7 district is intended to help preserve unique, older buildings used for student housing, the zoning regulations often make reuse, and in turn, preservation of those buildings more difficult. Housing demand from students has been changing for some time, and it has become more difficult to get students into the old group houses and Greek houses that make up the R-7 district.

In 2019, Landmarks Illinois included Greek Housing at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign on its list of the “Most Endangered” historic places in Illinois. While the R-7 regulations have likely insulated Urbana from old Greek houses being torn down and replaced with new structures, they do not provide a path to preserve these important historic buildings.

A Message from Mayor Marlin

Submitted by BridgetB on November 24, 2021 - 1:07pm

A Message from the Mayor of the City of Urbana

"I want to thank you for all you have given over the past year and I hope that you have a peaceful and warm Thanksgiving holiday.

And, I wanted to let you know that we have joined with the University of Illinois Chabad Center for Jewish life and other community partners to celebrate light and hope during Hanukkah this year. Thanks to generous donors, we now have a menorah on the balcony at the City Building. Hanukkah, an eight-day festival of lights, begins in the evening of November 28 and ends in the evening of December 6 this year. Menorah in Hebrew means lamp and is one of the oldest Jewish cultural symbols.

UPDATE: CITY BUILDING OPEN AND BOIL ORDER IS LIFTED

Submitted by BridgetB on November 9, 2021 - 11:33am

The City has received notice from Illinois-American Water that the boil order for the Urbana City Building has been lifted. Facilities staff have flushed the faucets and water fountains per the recommended guidelines and the water is again safe for consumption. This is effective on 11 a.m., November 10, 2021

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children

Submitted by BridgetB on November 3, 2021 - 12:28pm

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children

Community vaccination clinics available by appointment for children age 5-11

UFD Celebrates New Engines with a Push-In Ceremony

Submitted by BridgetB on November 2, 2021 - 12:44pm

The City of Urbana Fire Department celebrated the first of our traditional “Push-In’ ceremonies for our 2 new E-One Engines.

Urbana Fire Chief, Chuck Lauss said, "I want to say a special thank you to our Apparatus Committee lead by Battalion Chief Mike Wallace, Roy Lane, Tal Prendergast, Troy Roberts, Cory Roberts, Andy Stewart, Mitch Rolson and Jeff Orr. Thank you Craig Hamrick, our E-One representative for all of your dedication, commitment and patience through this wonderful process. Thank you to April Smysor who has help in all of the behind the scenes administration and the coordination of this event. A special thank you to our retires, without you we would not be here today. And especially Danny Harmon for the bells."

He added:

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