Construction on the Boneyard Creek detention project is moving along as work on phase two of the plan, along Second Street from Springfield Avenue to University Avenue, wraps up.

The Scott Park phase one improvements were completed in 2009; work on the second phase began in mid-August of 2009, said John Peisker, vice president of O’Neil Brothers Construction.

Peisker said work has been on schedule, on budget and expected to be done by the end of the year.

According to the city of Champaign website, the project’s goals are to grant 100-year flood protection, revitalize the surrounding neighborhood, turn the Boneyard into a place of recreation and connect Campustown and downtown Champaign.

Louis Braghini, resident engineer of the Boneyard Creek project, said this is both the culmination and continuation of an idea that originated back in 1996. He added that the project’s history goes even further, dating back to the 1930s and ‘40s when no one could solve the constant flooding problems of the surrounding area, including Campustown.

“We would see flooding on Green Street almost annually,” Braghini said.

Gary Baumont, a resident of Champaign for over 40 years, said he was not personally affected by these damaging floods but recalled a friend of his who often suffered damage from the floods.

“I have an acquaintance who owns a business in Campustown and pretty much when it flooded it ruined his freezers and food storage in the basement and ruin all his inventory,” Baumont said. “It was pretty expensive for him.”

Peisker said the $11 million project will feature two detention basins north and south of White Street, two retaining walls on each of the basins, two waterfall features and the addition of sidewalks around and across the watershed. Other improvements include restructured parking on Second and Clark streets, lighting around the basins and paths and amenities such as seating, trash receptacles and drinking fountains. The Stone Arch Bridge will also connect to this part of the Boneyard Creek.

Braghini added that the landscaping will not be complete until after the winter season.

Baumont said the development looks promising and hopes that this project will have a positive impact on both the surrounding area and the residents.

“I’ve been walking past here for several weeks watching the progress. My overall reaction is it looks really nice,” Baumont said. “The project looks big enough to stop any future flooding.”