The city of Champaign has expressed some concern about the entrance to the city. During their meeting Tuesday night, the Champaign City Council approved a resolution to buy five properties from the Urban League for $250,000. The resolution passed 6-2, with Dist.The city of Champaign has expressed some concern about the entrance to the city.

During their meeting Tuesday night, the Champaign City Council approved a resolution to buy five properties from the Urban League for $250,000.

The resolution passed 6-2, with Dist. 1 Council member Gina Jackson not present at the meeting. Dist. 5 Council member Ken Pirok voted against it though, since the properties, located on the 1100 block of North Neil Street and at 1111 N. Hickory St., were appraised at $240,000 combined. The city ended up paying $250,000.

Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart also voted against it, saying the price was too much over what it was appraised.

Still, At-Large Council member Tom Bruno said these properties were too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“We have too much at stake with this to have the price stand in our way,” Bruno said. “I would hate to see this develop detrimentally.”

Dist. 2 Council member Michael La Due expressed similar concerns, saying these are in a very prominent part of Champaign’s downtown area.

“This is part of some walkable areas of our city,” La Due said. “This is a virtual bargain for the potential public good.”

Pirok, however, did not only vote against the resolution because of the price. There were also the implications of bailing out the Urban League for any financial woes they may be having, and he said it seemed like the extra $10,000 could be going to help them out.

“We should not bail the Urban League out,” Pirok said. “We should not ask the taxpayers to do that.”

Champaign City Council meets every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the City Building, 102 N. Neil St.