Neighborhoods
Read more about the article Gun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situationGoogle Maps Street View
Urbana City Building from Google Maps.

Gun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situation

Only four years ago, Urbana police reported just 17 shooting incidents and no fatalities. The numbers doubled by the end of 2019, and have nearly doubled in each of the two years since, according to an analysis of police data by CU-CitizenAccess.  Out of the 99 shootings through November, at least 21 individuals were injured, meaning that when combined with homicides, one-in-three people were killed or wounded when shots were fired.

Continue ReadingGun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situation
Read more about the article Clark Park residents express concern over accessory dwelling unit regulationaccessorydwellings.org
A backyard Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) from accessorydwellings.org, which is cited by Champaign to learn more information about ADUs.

Clark Park residents express concern over accessory dwelling unit regulation

Some property owners are expressing concern about accessory dwelling units — small buildings on single housing property — while Champaign city officials move towards approving them. To gauge Champaign’s interest in ADUs, City Planning sent out a survey in mid-August with questions about ADUs and what they might look like in Champaign. About 65% to 70% of about 1,500 participants seemed to indicate interest and support for ADUs.

Continue ReadingClark Park residents express concern over accessory dwelling unit regulation
Read more about the article United Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaintsUnited Garden Hills, Facebook
Flooding on Anita Dr. in the Garden Hills neighborhood in June 2021.

United Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaints

In June, the city was awarded $25 million through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), a COVID-19 economic relief plan disbursing emergency funds. Half of the funds have already been given to the city, while the other half will be received next year. Kay Nees, finance director of the city, said the ARP was like a “key missing piece” in order to get to work on Garden Hills.  The two efforts, a drainage project to target flooding, and a lighting project to make the streets safer, have their own timeline, budget and design. The first phase of the drainage project has already been completed: creating greenspace to install detention basins. The city worked with residents to demolish properties that were frequently getting flooded to make room for detention basins.

Continue ReadingUnited Garden Hills lighting, flooding projects underway after years of resident complaints
Read more about the article Champaign residents seek litter solutions after delayed city cleanup efforts, untracked complaints
Trash lines the bus stop next to Walmart on North Prospect Ave. in Champaign on April 5, 2021. Photo by Dylan Tiger.

Champaign residents seek litter solutions after delayed city cleanup efforts, untracked complaints

Champaign residents erupted on social media in early March about the excess litter in the Champaign area, especially North Prospect, with some claiming they have never seen the city so polluted before. In late spring this year, resident Michael Chrasta expects “a revival” of the Loving Our City cleanup initiative that was cancelled in March 2020 as COVID-19 entered the community.

Continue ReadingChampaign residents seek litter solutions after delayed city cleanup efforts, untracked complaints
Read more about the article Gunfire incidents get closer to home for Holiday Park neighborhoodDarrell Hoemann
Street scene in the Holiday Park area of Champaign, IL on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. View is looking south on Kenwood Road and Maplewood Drive. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Gunfire incidents get closer to home for Holiday Park neighborhood

Residents of the Holiday Park neighborhood in west Champaign have been experiencing an increase in gun incidents, and residents say sounds of gunfire is now a ‘normality’ for this area. According to Tom Yelich, public information officer at the Champaign Police Department, there have been 174 shooting incidents as of November 23. This number is the highest the city has seen in the last five years.

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Read more about the article Garden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively
The intersection of Mattis Ave. and Paula Dr. in Champaign lacks street lighting most of the way down Paula Dr. in the Garden Hills neighborhood.

Garden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively

The city’s multi-decade improvement plan for Garden Hills has increased the community residents’ trepidation as they see general deterioration and an abundance of issues piling up while the city’s improvement efforts appear to have slowed. “We’re just not a priority, let’s put it that way,” resident Amy Revilla said.

Continue ReadingGarden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively
Read more about the article South Willis neighborhood creates togetherness in a time of isolationGoogle Street View
The intersection of Green St. and Willis Ave. on Google Street View, last updated in October 2015.

South Willis neighborhood creates togetherness in a time of isolation

With the South Willis area relying heavily on community-centered events and interactions, the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for neighbors to interact and participate in activities like they have in the past. Despite these challenges, they have found a way to come together in an even stronger way during these unprecedented times.

Continue ReadingSouth Willis neighborhood creates togetherness in a time of isolation
Read more about the article Limited funding prevents West Urbana brick sidewalks from being accessibleSydney Wood
A brick sidewalk in need of repair located near the intersection of South Busey Ave. near West California Ave. in Urbana. Photo taken November 2, 2020.

Limited funding prevents West Urbana brick sidewalks from being accessible

Despite ongoing major road construction within West Urbana, multiple stretches of brick sidewalks that do not meet the standards of the federal disability act will not be fixed. Urbana City Administrator Carol Mitten said the City doesn’t have the finances to correct every non-ADA compliant sidewalk in Urbana that is outside of MCORE’s construction zone.

Continue ReadingLimited funding prevents West Urbana brick sidewalks from being accessible
Read more about the article Lierman neighborhood continues to face difficulties to receive “quality of life”Lierman Neighborhood Community Garden - Facebook
The Lierman Neighborhood Community Garden posts photos of the community and events taking place in the garden regularly. Photo from Facebook in September 2020.

Lierman neighborhood continues to face difficulties to receive “quality of life”

A community garden in one Urbana neighborhood has helped its residents overcome two prevailing issues: crime and food insecurity.

Continue ReadingLierman neighborhood continues to face difficulties to receive “quality of life”
Read more about the article Clark Park neighbors work to bring back community-wide eventsClark Park's Community Facebook Page
A free pantry located on the corner of James and Daniel in the Clark Park neighborhood is part of the efforts made by community leaders. Fresh produce, food, masks and other items were available for free.

Clark Park neighbors work to bring back community-wide events

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic is significantly limiting the ability for Clark Park community leaders to plan and host their staple events. The 61821 zip code, which includes Clark Park, has had 549 confirmed cases of COVID-19 according to data from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

Continue ReadingClark Park neighbors work to bring back community-wide events