As the University saw a record largest incoming class of 2019, the campus community is expanding with continued construction, building new roads and complex high-rises.

Wright Street construction comes to an end

Following concentrated fall semester construction, the Multimodal Corridor Enhancement’s fourth phase is on its way to clearing Wright and moving to Green Street by January 2020.

The twin city’s dividing line and core of University transportation, Wright Street, was closed early May for MCORE’s most expensive project. Estimated at $10 million, the fourth project has partially cleared Wright Street and Armory Avenue this fall and established new routes for Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District buses.

If construction abides by its original schedule, the fourth phase should see an end December 2020. The last project five, working on Green Street from Race Street to Busey Avenue, is in line to see changes starting March 2020.

C-U gets taller

With the rise in student count, Champaign-Urbana is seeing additional increased construction in apartment complexes and high-rises.

After the close of campus’s beloved bars, The Clybourne and Firehaus, rapid building for a new 17-floor apartment complex, The Dean, has scheduled its opening for August 2020. The Dean, located on the corner of Sixth and Green streets, has confirmed a Target location will accommodate its first two floors.

KAM’s closed its doors Oct. 20, leaving East Daniel Street ready renovation the next day. Of the six businesses filling the block, Espresso Royale, Subway, Fernando’s, Home of Gourmet Chinese, former C.O. Daniels bar and KAM’s, the campus tradition was the last to leave.

While specifics of the location have not yet been revealed, the 600 block area is expected to see a new apartment, retail and office complex. The block is currently under construction, knocking down the last few walls of KAM’s.

The beloved bar is moving to a new and larger location on First and Green streets with hopes to reopen New Year’s Eve.

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