garden hills
Read more about the article Champaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot programMike Rock
Yard lights in the Garden Hills neighborhood illuminate the street. The City of Champaign's SLEEP program added hundreds of lights to the Garden Hills neighborhood between 2022 and 2023. Photo by Mike Rock.

Champaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot program

The Safety Lighting Energy Efficiency Program (SLEEP), originally designed to improve outdoor lighting and security in the Garden Hills neighborhood in 2019, got new…

Continue ReadingChampaign’s revamped SLEEP program added hundreds of lights, cameras after Garden Hills pilot program
Read more about the article Hundreds of flooding complaints rippled across Champaign in past decade: From Campbell Drive to viaducts to MattisDylan Tiger
One of the more common subjects of flooding calls has been for the viaduct located at the intersection of Kirby Avenue and Neil Street in Champaign. Photo by Dylan Tiger.

Hundreds of flooding complaints rippled across Champaign in past decade: From Campbell Drive to viaducts to Mattis

A block of basements covered in water on Church Street. A flooded locker room, briefing room, and hallway in the Champaign police station. A…

Continue ReadingHundreds of flooding complaints rippled across Champaign in past decade: From Campbell Drive to viaducts to Mattis
Read more about the article City hopes to avoid delays on Garden Hills major drainage project to prevent floodingMegan Krok
Residents of the Garden Hills neighborhood in Champaign view a map of Paula Drive during a Nov. 18 meeting at Station 5 Champaign Fire Dept. Photo by Megan Krok.

City hopes to avoid delays on Garden Hills major drainage project to prevent flooding

City of Champaign planners hope to have a mild winter to prevent any delays on the second phase of the Garden Hills neighborhood drainage…

Continue ReadingCity hopes to avoid delays on Garden Hills major drainage project to prevent flooding
Read more about the article Garden Hills residents question number of businesses selling liquor in and near neighborhoodDarrell Hoemann
Garden Hills looking east on Hedge Road from Mattis Avenue on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Garden Hills residents question number of businesses selling liquor in and near neighborhood

Some Champaign residents in Garden Hills have expressed concern over the number of businesses selling alcohol in close proximity to the neighborhood, saying those…

Continue ReadingGarden Hills residents question number of businesses selling liquor in and near neighborhood
Read more about the article Garden Hills neighborhood improvements in full swingDarrell Hoemann
Garden Hills looking east on Paula Drive from Mattis Avenue on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Garden Hills neighborhood improvements in full swing

Neighborhood input “shaped” the design of the ongoing Garden Hills improvement project, of which the latest phase costs an estimated $35 million to install…

Continue ReadingGarden Hills neighborhood improvements in full swing
Read more about the article Garden Hills residents feel ‘neglected’ by Champaign over yearsDarrell Hoemann
Garden Hills looking east on Paula Drive from Mattis Avenue on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Garden Hills residents feel ‘neglected’ by Champaign over years

For years, Garden Hills residents, property owners and advocates have been unsuccessfully pleading with the city of Champaign for improved living conditions, more city funding and reduced crime. While plans are underway for some improvements, some said it should have come sooner.

Continue ReadingGarden Hills residents feel ‘neglected’ by Champaign over years
Read more about the article City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhoodDarrell Hoemann
Sign for the Martin Luther King Subdivision neighborhood on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhood

During one of its quarterly neighborhood association meetings this year, the MLK Subdivision brainstormed about how to reduce speeding on its streets. Kerri Wiman, the director of the Champaign neighborhood services department, happened to be sitting in on the meeting. Hearing the group’s concerns, she decided to direct them to the Neighborhood Services Small Grant Program — and it helped get them results.

Continue ReadingCity’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhood
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