Mixed-use development to be built in Urbana
Urbana city council members unanimously approved a special permit to allow the 
construction of a 5 ½ -story building to be used for commercial and residential purposes on West Oregon Street and West Nevada Street.
Illinois Properties, LLC proposed the development, which would be at 1108 W. Nevada St. and 1105 and 1107 W. Oregon St., south of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
The building would consist of two levels of parking, one on the ground floor and the other below ground. Office space would also be located on the ground floor, and the remaining 4 ½ floors would consist of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with an emphasis on one- and two-bedroom residences. The building would contain 59 apartments, housing 126 residents.
City council members approved a rezoning of the property to Campus Commerical District and a special-use permit to allow a mixed-use development.
The special-use permit would also allow the builders to reduce the amount of required parking by 34 percent, allowing for fewer parking spaces than would ordinarily be required by city zoning regulations. Fewer parking spaces are needed because the residences would primarily be occupied by students, and the number of students bringing cars to campus has decreased in recent years.
The building would adhere to the Illinois Energy Conservation Code, and green features are planned, such as a low-intensity green roof, collection of storm water for irrigation and motion sensor lighting.
City council members expressed concern over a couple of issues, including how close the building would be to the streets. The other main concern with the building was whether the modern design would fit in aesthetically with the surrounding university buildings.
Despite these concerns, however, the development would help to accomplish some of the city's goals. The building would contribute to Urbana’s tax base, which is eroded goals. The building would contribute to Urbana’s tax base, which is eroded when the university expands into the neighborhood, council member Brandon Bowersox said.
The building would also contribute to the goal of encouraging students to use mass transit and walk rather than bring cars to campus.
Construction of the development could begin as early as August 2012, when current leases expire.
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Thank you for discussing Ron Paul’s “successors” - the future of the freedom movement. The movement didn’t begin with Dr. Paul, nor will it end with his exit from the political scene. How many future political leaders were in that audience of nearly 5,000 last night?
I went to the Ron Paul event last night. There was alot of energy & the audience responded to Ron Paul’s ideas which surprised me. I didn’t think most people would be aware of NDAA. Another person, who was there last night, observed that quite a few…
A really well researched article. Great job!
I love the Guitars
Hi my name is Harry Huffman, professional speaker…. keynote humorist and above all story teller. I have also been a ballroom dancer, competitor and instructor over 45 years.I’m looking to get on the story telling circuit or radio. Can you give me some advice. Thank you. My web site http://www.speakdance.com
Man, I cannot wait for these four records to be released by Parasol/Hidden Agenda - seriously great music for them to be working with. Thanks for letting me hang out in the studio and see you at the party…
Rob, I’m slightly confused about the media player you are referring to.
I’ve looked at this page with two different browsers, and four different operating systems. I’ve decided that the embedded media player is just plain busted.
$100K for a toy house? No wonder my taxes are killing me. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/solar-decathlons-rainy-start_594112.html
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“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
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What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
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What a great job by all the volunteers! This event was really put together fast, and well. What I noticed about the crowd was how many old faces I saw despite occurring on a college campus. I talked to quite a few, including students, who assured me…