Business & Development Updates for July 2018

BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT

Economic Development Division

Diane Marlin, Mayor

July 2018

KICKAPOO RAIL TRAIL The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) has been funded $100,000 in Federal funding and $25,000 from Carle to study the extension of the Kickapoo Rail Trail (KRT) through Downtown Urbana. The proposed extension would begin at the terminus of the existing KRT, completed by the Champaign County Forest Preserve, and connect through Downtown Urbana, Carle Foundation Hospital, and the University of Illinois. The planning efforts will last approximately two years and are expected to culminate in a final report including recommendations and design concepts. The Urbana Park District played a key role in convening stakeholders and initiating early planning for the concept.

LINCOLN SQUARE MALL Lincoln Square Mall has five currently expanding and new businesses. The PASS Program, a medical test preparation program, began classes on July 30th and will bring 30-40 students each semester. The IDEA Store is relocating from its Champaign location to occupy the former Art Mart space. Miranda’s Loom, a functional arts retailer, previously based in Carbondale plans to open September 1st. Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Educational Services (RACES) and Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) will both relocate within the building, doubling their current space. Elliot Counseling, a mental health support provider, is relocating and expanding from Champaign and plans to open September 1st.

SUNNYCREST CENTER PACE Center for Independent Living and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) have expanded their office spaces within the Sunnycrest Center on South Philo Road, with ASPCA adding 15 new employees. Sunnycrest also welcomed the Everyday Quilting Company, a long-arm machine quilting shop specializing in quilting for clients.

LANDMARK HOTEL Chicago-based broker Rick George of Avison Young listed the Landmark Hotel property for auction on the real estate website Ten-X Commercial. The listing page shows a minimum bid of $600,000 and a refundable participation deposit of $10,000. The auction will commence on September 11th.

JX ENTERPRISES JX Enterprises purchased the former Hanford Inn site (2408 N Cunningham) in 2017 and plans to begin development soon for a Peterbilt Truck Center. JX Enterprises will re-locate from their current location at 1510 Triumph Drive, north of Urbana, and add additional employees at the new location.

WASHINGTON SCHOOL The former Washington School site (1102 N Broadway) sold at auction to Matt Cho for $75,000 on June 25th. Matt Cho has previously developed Sipyard, [co][lab], Cafeteria & Co, and Broadway Food Hall. Matt Cho is also currently redeveloping 129 N Race Street into Analog a new cafe, wine bar, and co-working space.

CU TOURISM IMPACT Visit Champaign County recently released a report on tourism in Illinois. In 2017, tourism grew in Champaign County by 6.1%, with visitors spending an estimated $349.23 million on tourism expenditures. These expenditures supported an estimated 3,140 jobs and generated an estimated $6.21 million in local tax revenue for the year.

BUSINESS OUTREACH In June, Economic Development staff spoke with 14 prospective developers and potential new and expanding businesses. Staff attended and hosted six networking and training events including UBA Ribbon Cuttings and Think Urbana Neighborhood Tours.