Urbana Announces Facilities Master Plan

Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin announced that the City of Urbana has contracted with CannonDesign and its Chicago-based team to develop a long-term Facilities Master Plan.

“Conducting a facilities and programming needs assessment has been one of my top priorities.” Marlin said. “We are excited that CannonDesign will guide us through the creation of a sound, actionable, and fiscally responsible facilities plan. This, in turn, will help support government functions and provide a framework for budget decisions.”

She noted that the process also would provide critical information regarding City-owned sites in downtown Urbana.

“The Master Plan needs to both inform and respond to on-going planning and economic development activities downtown, consistent with the Mayor/Council Priorities for 2018-2021,” Marlin said.

The project will be overseen by Vince Gustafson, Urbana Public Facilities Manager, in coordination with an internal Facilities Committee. It will be conducted in three phases. Phase I will consist of a full conditional assessment of existing municipal facilities to categorize immediate, short-term, and long-term repair and replacement needs. This work is scheduled to begin immediately. Phase 2 will include a space needs assessment to evaluate how work is performed within and among departments and the adequacy of the space currently provided. Phase 3, with information developed in Phases 1 and 2, will provide a master plan which takes into consideration the City’s anticipated future needs for space and the organizational use of such space, including development or use of space not currently owned, operated or used by the City, if such additional space is deemed necessary to the cost effective and efficient operation of City government. 

“Well maintained and functional facilities play a key role in the City’s ability to provide the services its citizens and visitors rely upon. These planning efforts will allow the City to make much needed facilities improvements in a strategic and fiscally responsible manner,” Gustafson said.

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