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Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is expanding Illinois Terminal

The expansion is part of a joint development project with Core Spaces. Here’s the press release. 

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) today announced its plans to improve and expand Illinois Terminal. By expanding the facility on adjacent surface parking lots, MTD will be able to construct dedicated MTD, intercity, and rural bus platforms to reduce bus congestion resulting in improved on-time performance and a safer pedestrian environment.

MTD received a $17.275 million federal grant in November 2019 from the FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant program to complete the improvements to the Illinois Terminal. In addition to dedicated bus platforms, the newly expanded mixed-use facility will provide additional tenant space, retail, apartments, and a parking deck. The existing Illinois Terminal building will also be renovated to expand waiting areas and passenger amenities and create green space.

The project is being completed as a Joint Development initiative with Core Spaces, who will contribute private funding for the residential spaces in the mixed-use expansion and parking deck. All work to be completed as part of the Illinois Expansion Project is located north of Logan Street. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2021.  

“In the midst of the many challenges our community is facing, we are grateful that the federal funding for the Illinois Terminal Expansion is secure and that plans for this public-private partnership have continued to progress. The project partners are excited to begin the public outreach stage and move this transformative project forward” said Karl Gnadt, MTD’s CEO and Managing Director.

As MTD develops an Environmental Assessment to evaluate potential impacts and benefits of expanding Illinois Terminal, it invites you to review information online about the planned project and provide your feedback. An on-demand video presentation is available at ITETheYards.com and comments will be accepted until October 14th, 2020.

Comments may be submitted by:

·       Email:   Info@ITETheYards.com

·       Online:  ITETheYards.com

·       Mail:  Champaign-Urbana MTD

    Attn: Jane Sullivan

                  1101 E. University Ave.

                  Urbana, Illinois 61802

·       Phone: 217-384-8188

If you do not have Internet access to view the Virtual Meeting, please visit the Customer Service Counter at Illinois Terminal or call 217-384-8188.

For more information follow Illinois Terminal at www.facebook.com/ITattheYardstwitter.com/ITatTheYards, or visit ITETheYards.com.  

Photo from Wikipedia.

Staff writer

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