Read more about the article Small grant program funds in Champaign doubled this fiscal year; Program supports neighborhood initiatives, activities
Photo of Washington Street Neighborhood’s Fourth of July parade in 2023.

Small grant program funds in Champaign doubled this fiscal year; Program supports neighborhood initiatives, activities

The funding for Champaign's Neighborhood Small Grant Program increased from ​about ​$22,500 to $52,000​ this fiscal year, meaning​ it can assist​ dozens more projects,…

Continue ReadingSmall grant program funds in Champaign doubled this fiscal year; Program supports neighborhood initiatives, activities
Read more about the article Small grant funds help new Champaign neighborhood group clean up its streets 
The boundaries of the Neighborhood Co-Labourers Community Group, a new registered association in Champaign. Photo from the city's website.

Small grant funds help new Champaign neighborhood group clean up its streets 

Concerned about the litter and waste on the streets and yards in their area, Champaign residents living east of downtown formed the Neighborhood Co-Labourers…

Continue ReadingSmall grant funds help new Champaign neighborhood group clean up its streets 
Read more about the article Southeast Urbana sees less shootings since neighborhood plan, but domestic violence a growing concernSUNA
The neighborhood boundaries of the southeast Urbana neighborhood, divided into four quadrants. The map was created by the neighborhood association and is available on its website.

Southeast Urbana sees less shootings since neighborhood plan, but domestic violence a growing concern

In 2016, the Southeast Urbana Neighborhood Association and its steering committee met with leadership from the Lierman and Historic East Urbana neighborhoods to address…

Continue ReadingSoutheast Urbana sees less shootings since neighborhood plan, but domestic violence a growing concern
Read more about the article Residents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remediesGoogle Maps Street View
Republic Services Waste Transfer at 921 Saline Ct, Urbana. Image from Google Maps Street View.

Residents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remedies

https://youtu.be/1yeXSeADVVE Video captured by Kate Maguire. Loud booming and crashing sounds of waste hauler trucks emptying bins can start before dawn in Urbana —…

Continue ReadingResidents complain about continuing early morning garbage pick-ups, but cities fail to find remedies
Read more about the article East Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plantDarrell Hoemann
Emulsicoat, Inc exterior (705 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

East Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plant

Members of the Historic East Urbana neighborhood association said they are suffering through recurrent odors and potential pollution issues because of the emissions from Emulsicoat, a local asphalt plant. The most recent complaint, filed to the IEPA in early May 2021, stated “the stench in the East Urbana neighborhood was overwhelming” and that people noted physical problems tied to it. The investigation by Michael Haggitt and Mark Schleuter from that same month had limitations from the lack of hard evidence linking the odor to the suspected Emulsicoat source and recommended no further action beyond the community meeting they held a month prior to that in April. 

Continue ReadingEast Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plant
Read more about the article City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhoodDarrell Hoemann
Sign for the Martin Luther King Subdivision neighborhood on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

City’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhood

During one of its quarterly neighborhood association meetings this year, the MLK Subdivision brainstormed about how to reduce speeding on its streets. Kerri Wiman, the director of the Champaign neighborhood services department, happened to be sitting in on the meeting. Hearing the group’s concerns, she decided to direct them to the Neighborhood Services Small Grant Program — and it helped get them results.

Continue ReadingCity’s small grant program helps reduce speeding issues in MLK Subdivision neighborhood
Read more about the article Garden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively
The intersection of Mattis Ave. and Paula Dr. in Champaign lacks street lighting most of the way down Paula Dr. in the Garden Hills neighborhood.

Garden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively

The city’s multi-decade improvement plan for Garden Hills has increased the community residents’ trepidation as they see general deterioration and an abundance of issues piling up while the city’s improvement efforts appear to have slowed. “We’re just not a priority, let’s put it that way,” resident Amy Revilla said.

Continue ReadingGarden Hills neighborhood faces dark times, literally and figuratively