From the press release:
Visit Champaign County to Relocate in Downtown Champaign
Champaign, Illinois – After six years at the Atkinson Monument Building, Visit Champaign County will relocate this July to a new location in Downtown Champaign at 17 Taylor St., formerly occupied by BLDD Architects.
“This new space provides unlimited possibilities for Visit Champaign County with its prime location in the heart of downtown Champaign while still serving the entire Champaign County area,” states Jayne DeLuce, President & CEO of Visit Champaign County. “Residing along a major walkway through downtown, we will be visible to a greater number of residents and visitors as they discover all the area restaurants, shops and local events.”
When Visit Champaign County initially moved downtown in 2011, the organization was looking for a different type of space separate from the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, with whom they had shared space. The Atkinson Monument Building allowed Visit Champaign County to create their own identity through the Welcome Center in a highly visible area.
DeLuce anticipates a boost in foot traffic in the new location, which has an abundance of patrons to businesses in that area, including the Blind Pig Brewery, Cowboy Monkey, Radio Maria, Nando Milano Trattoria, and Christopher’s Fine Jewelry.
“I’m thrilled Visit Champaign County chose the former BLDD Architects office at 17 Taylor Street in downtown Champaign as their next headquarters,” states Jeff Mellander, owner of the building. “It’s a bright vibrant space and seems like a great fit for the Welcome Center.”
“We’ve developed numerous portal welcome areas in Champaign County where visitors can access area information,” explains DeLuce. “With new visitor centers at Willard Airport, Market Place Mall, Illinois Terminal and our new mobile visitors center, we’re able to serve visitors in multiple ways.”
A grand opening for Visit Champaign County’s new space will be announced at a later date.