When I first started coming down to campus to watch my brother play tennis, I was disappointed with the general quality of campustown. The buildings, roads, sidewalks and overall look made me feel removed from the college experience. Perhaps my attention to aesthetics was at fault. 

But campustown did have an allure to it that I couldn’t figure out. What it lacked in attractiveness it made up for with history and a sense of community. 

Since the past few years, the landscape of Green Street has not evolved much. The biggest change during my four years here was the fire between Sixth and Wright, something that was not planned, but nonetheless changed the landscape of the block.

Green Street has always been a place associated with memories and history, at least during my time as a student. The current plans to revitalize campus do not seem to resonate with the students I have spoken to, especially because the new Green Street will be monopolized into an urban town center and lose its historical feel.

Many students come to the University for the campustown feel. The housing development plans will most certainly take away from the campustown feeling these students seek.

The allure of the local restaurants, shops and architecture of the buildings create the unique environment that students are proud to call home. 

With the new campus revitalization effort, the community’s roots may be uplifted as we transition from a traditional campus into a more modern one. 

With these pieces completely removed, students will not be able to experience the true University history, the local attractions and the stories alumni tell to future and prospective students. 

For example, Follet’s Bookstore, a mainstay of Green Street since 1938, will be shutting its doors at the end of the semester. JSM Development purchased the property and is planning to add more food and apparel shops to the location.

The proposed plans for Green Street could potentially change the demographic of students that choose to attend to the University. It has the potential to drive away students of a lower economic class who may not be able to afford the rents of new high-rise apartment complexes and trendy food joints. At the same time, international and more affluent students become the new target populations of campustown. 

By providing a quality education at a university conveniently located for many students around the Midwest, the University has been a top destination. Changing the landscape of campustown with expensive luxury apartments with high rents fits a different demographic than the one currently at the University. As a result, the commercialization may be a detriment for the students who are looking for a good education but can no longer afford to attend.

Currently, there are four proposals for development on Green Street in Champaign. Most of the proposals involve removing long-standing businesses and replacing them with mixed-use buildings, businesses on the first floor and apartments on the rest. 

In one plan, Garcia’s Pizza In A Pan and the old White Horse Inn would be replaced with a five-story, 52-unit apartment building on Second and Green streets. On the northwest corner of Fourth and Green streets, a 16-story apartment building with a three-level automated parking garage would replace what is now IHOP and Campus Liquor.

Bankier Apartments is planning a 14-story apartment building on the southwest corner of Sixth and Green streets, which would replace Gameday Spirit, Hair Benders, Beri Frozen Yogurt and Roll Model. Some existing businesses are in negotiations to move into the new complex once finished. 

The biggest development is for Lot J near the northwest corner of Sixth and Green streets, which would include two 12-story buildings, one of which is planned to be a Marriot Town Place Suites designed for long-term stays.

The University is pushing for a more diverse student body, which comes with increased numbers of out-of-state and international students. The change in demographic will provide the University with increased revenues and help support the campus economy. However, catering to a lower economic class, from the perspective of developers or the University, is not good for business.

Tommy is a senior in Business. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @tommyheiser.