Upcoming Events
Big Block Bash
July 18, 6-8pm
South Side Christian Church
2600 S
MacArthur
Download Flyer...
MacArthur
Redevelopment
Plan
Business Member
Input Meeting
Wednesday, July 22
5-7 pm
Dublin Pub Back Room
2413
S MacArthur
Next Monthly
Membership Meeting
Thursday, Aug 12
7:30 am
Red Cross Building
1045 Outer Park Drive
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Missed the meeting?
Here's the scoop!
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Guest
Speaker: T.J. Blakeman
City Planner II from the City of Champaign, IL
Mr. Blakeman offered an interesting and informative overview of the Green Street revitalization project in Champaign, IL.
The goals of the project were to
encourage more pedestrian traffic, minimize through traffic, define a
look and feel for the area and create a place where people wanted to
be. Problems similar to MacArthur included
empty buildings, crumbling curbs, suburban buildings with front parking
lots, little walking space, fast traffic and large signs.
The project was organized in 1997 as a
partnership between the City of Champaign and the University of
Illinois. Phase I (streetscape) was completed in 2002, and phase II was
completed in 2004. Ongoing efforts include a current flood control
project and phase III, which will extend the improvement area, planned
for 2016.
The $8.4 million project was funded by a city-wide food and beverage tax and a special service area property tax based on linear street footage plus an additional assessment on business property owners. A zoning overlay district included specifications for minimum height of buildings (2 floors), transparent windows on the 1st floor, parking in back of buildings with a wide walking space in front, basic design guidelines, minimal curb cuts, no minimum requirements for commercial parking areas (shared public parking is encouraged) and a strong sign ordinance (no billboards.)
The first 2 phases of the 3-phase
project are complete and have resulted in the remarkable transformation
of an area of Champaign that had been neglected, had a bad reputation,
and was used mainly as a thoroughfare by the residents of Champaign. Results have been impressive: more than 25 new restaurants have opened in the area, an average of 5 new businesses open in the area every month, 600 new housing units are now available, and $400 million in new construction has been invested in the area since 2007.
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MacArthur Boulevard Redevelopment Plan
Business Member Input Meeting
Wednesday,
July 22
5-7 pm
Dublin Pub Back Room
2413
S MacArthur
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MacArthur Boulevard Redevelopment Plan
Jen Dillman, Chair of the Redevelopment Study, said a meeting will be held for MBBA members to view plans and provide input on the Redevelopment plan. Lakota Group will not be present. A steering committee meeting could be held at the same time. See above for details.
Jen said the project is on target to finish in 2 months and stressed the importance of having a plan for the next steps. Having an immediate action item will maintain enthusiasm and help generate funding. Suggestions were made to have the final Lakota Group meeting in September instead of August, to publish the date well in advance and to increase marketing for better participation.
The State of the Corridor Report, Conclusion of Planning Study First Phase; is now available on the project website, http://thelakotagroup.com/macarthur/.
Thanks to the Illinois Times for featuring the Redevelopment Plans in a recent edition; as a result of the story, a residential developer from Milwaukee called to inquire about development opportunities.
- Powerpoint
presentations
- Land
Use Strategy Map
- Conceptual Development Plans -
DRAFT
'Min' Concepts, 'Mid' Concepts, 'Max' Concepts - Conceptual Streetscape Enhancement
Plan - DRAFT
- Conceptual
Perspective Sketches - DRAFT
- Facade Improvement Sketches - DRAFT
- Boulevard Signage Concepts - DRAFT
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MBBA News
Artists Market
Laurie Farrell reported a very successful 4th Annual Artists Market with 56 total artists and $2,800 in registration fees. Artist surveys are being collected, and the Artist Market committee will meet to plan next year's event. Anyone seeing Artist Market signs should collect them and return them to the Farrells.
Thanks especially to Laurie & David Farrell, Cory Jobe, Julie Dirksen, Sharon Whalen and Carol Kneedler, to the Market committee and to everyone who helped make this year's market a success! Neighbors Council
Julie Dirksen reported that we are making progress on organizing clean up days for the Boulevard. Another meeting is scheduled to continue planning.
Members of the Neighbors Council attended the ICON (Inner City, Older Neighborhoods) meeting on June 28.
If you are interested in being an MBBA Block Captain or helping with clean-up days, please contact us at info@shoponmacarthur.com!
IDOT Enhancement Grant Application
Cory said Norm Sims is leading the initiative to
apply for highway transportation grant funds available for improvements from
IDOT and DCEO. The grants require a 20%
match from local sources.
The MBBA is planning a Believe in the Boulevard October event to celebrate the completion of the Redevelopment Plan. Tentative date is Saturday, October 9.
Coffee Sponsorships Available
Please consider providing refreshments for our monthly meeting - sponsors provide coffee and treats for 20-30 people.
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Welcome New MBBA Business Members!
Walgreens' property owner Sally Robinson
The Inn at 835
Check out more great businesses and supporters at our
Member Directory page!
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Area News & Events
South Side Christian Church will host their 3rd Annual Big Block Bash to help promote and celebrate life in the MacArthur neighborhood on July 18 from 6-8 pm. The event offers free food, games, prizes and live music. The MBBA will have a booth with information and signup forms. Any business owner wishing to participate at the MBBA booth may arrive any time after 5:30pm.
Download the event flyer...
Graffiti & Weeds
Graffiti is now worse on the previous Kmart property and there is new graffiti on the previous Esquire property that now belongs to AMC. A rash of graffiti occurred last week to the north of the MacArthur business district. The need to immediately paint over graffiti to discourage ongoing vandalism was stressed.
The City of Champaign's Property Maintenance Code contains a provision allowing the City to paint over graffiti and charge property owners.
Weeds were again mentioned at the previous Coin Shop near Outer Park & MacArthur and also at the previous Esquire property.
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