City Council will convene Tuesday evening for a study session to discuss a Champaign Center partnership and a proposed tax levy.
In the past, many non-profit organizations have been responsible for promoting the downtown and campus town area, but have been largely unsuccessful due to financial limitations and a dependence on volunteers.
The extension of the TIF 2 district along with the completion of second street reach boneyard project have provided an opportunity for redevelopment in the area.
With increased hope for economic development, the city has proposed a partnership that will merge the downtown, midtown, and campustown areas. The partnership will essentially be an organization which will support and direct these three areas as the urban center of Champaign.
Jill Guth, a member of JSM development led the effort to create what she says will be a market driven organization.
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Guth says they will be seeking $150,000 in city funding per year, for three years.
City staff will ask council to give direction to begin negotiations with the Champaign Center Partnership for an agreement to provide services supported by City TIF and Food and Beverage funding for as long as 3 years.
Michael LaDue, council member district 2, said he thinks the organization makes sense.
“I campaigned on the idea of building any conceivable bridge between campus town and the downtown,” he said.
LaDue added that public investment enhances the value of public property.
“Our office has taken the lead in supporting the activities in downtown and campus town and we’ll continue taking the lead in supporting those organizations,” said T.J. Blakeman, member of the city planning department.
City staff has also recommended that the council approve a levy of $20,632,100 which would create a City property tax rate of $1.2942. This recommended rate is the same as the current rate.
Staff has recommended filing the levy with the County sometime before December. The proposed increase in the levy is less than 5 %, therefore the city does not need to provide public notice or have a public hearing.
The city will convene at 7 p.m. at the city building, 102 N. Neil St.
