Latest news with #DianeWolfeMarlin
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Community invited to ‘Imagine Urbana' during public hearing
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana residents are being asked to give their input on the city's plan for the next two decades. The public is invited to a public hearing to comment on a draft of the Imagine Urbana Comprehensive Plan. It'll take place March 13 at 7 p.m. at Urbana's City Hall, located at 400 S. Vine Street. This meeting comes after an 'extensive' community engagement process, public meetings reviewing an initial draft, and a revised draft of the long-term plan. PREVIOUSLY: Urbana looks for public input on strategic future plan 'When finalized, Imagine Urbana will serve as the City's guide for City policy, infrastructure, and planning decisions in the years ahead. It provides the framework to promote quality of life for residents through innovative, sustainable, and fiscally responsible growth and development,' Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin said. 'As we enter the final review and approval process of Imagine Urbana, we invite residents to participate in the Public Hearing on March 13.' In the newest draft of the plan, there are four 'big ideas' for Urbana's future. Urbana is a Place for Everyone Urbana is Both Financially and Environmentally Resilient Urbana is a City of Connected Neighborhoods Urbana Embraces its Cultural Vibrancy and Character 'March Forth' campaign raising money for Marching Illini And, each big idea will be accomplished through a series of 'big moves' and 'little moves.' These include: Address Urbana's Diverse Housing Needs Urbana will conduct multiple housing studies to fully understand the market. They'll also expand affordable housing and invest in services for low-income residents. Align the Zoning Ordinance with Imagine Urbana The city will rewrite/ update its Zoning Ordinances. Address the Needs of Individual Areas Develop a framework for small area plans which address the needs of individual areas and neighborhoods. Make Downtown the Economic Driver of the City Refine TIF guidelines, explore the construction of a long-term structure for large community events, and connect walkways and bike paths to the downtown. Expand Urbana's Arts and Culture Program Increase funding for arts grants and public art installation and maintenance, host one large 'signature event' annually, and streamline event permitting. Make Walkability a Priority Focus on making streets and parking lots safer for people walking and biking, extend the Kickapoo Rail Trail through Downtown Urbana, and update the brick sidewalk ordinance to prioritize safety and function. Promote Incremental Development Right now, building on the outskirts of the city is easier than redevelopment. The City of Urbana wants to change that by providing incentives for entrepreneurs to start and grow their business, allow small-scale businesses and housing in the same neighborhood and develop a fiscally responsible annexation policy. Invest in Financially and Environmentally Resilient Infrastructure Encourage the use of native plants and trees in all developments and infrastructure projects, and align city policies to address utility and stormwater vulnerabilities. Enhance Urbana's Economic Vibrancy Make local businesses aware of federal, state, and local business resources, identify resources for non-traditional Urbana businesses (home-based, online, food trucks), recruit a grocery store and essential services to Northwest Urbana. Support Community Health, Safety, and Well-Being Prioritize equitable access to resources like education, employment opportunities, housing, health care, transportation, and recreational facilities for all residents. Advance a Healthy, Clean, and Green Community To become more sustainable, Urbana will rewrite the city's Climate Action Plan, plant trees in all vacant city tree sites and support the installation of renewable energy generation systems. You can read more details about the plan here. If you would prefer a PDF copy of the draft, you can request one by emailing ImagineUrbana@ or calling 217-384-2316. Residents can also email their comments on the draft to that same email address, or directly online. Instructions on how to comment online can be found here. Andrea Ruedi, senior director for integrated strategy development, also encourages residents to attend the public hearing. What were the top 10 consumer complaints in Illinois in 2024? 'Input from the hearing will be used to refine Imagine Urbana for the Urbana Plan Commission's final review. Next, the Plan Commission will endorse and recommend approval to the City Council Committee of the Whole,' Ruedi said. 'The Committee will then provide input, make any modifications, and ultimately make a recommendation to City Council for approval of the new Imagine Urbana Comprehensive Plan.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Urbana completes partial census
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Urbana has corrected its population numbers. After conducting a Partial Special Census last year, the population of Urbana has increased by nearly 2,500, the city announced in a press release Monday. The City's official Census 2025 population is now 40,795. 'We are sincerely grateful to all the residents who responded to Census 2025,' Urbana mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin said in a statement. 'They live here and they count.' The 2020 census saw a sharp population decline for areas near the University of Illinois. Urbana leaders attributed it to the census happening two weeks after UIUC shut down in-person classes due to COVID-19. Urbana library helps residents grow gardens with 'Seed Exchange Program' Marlin requested the census in July, and it was conducted in the fall. City officials said the new number secures an additional $600,000 per year in state revenues for the general operating fund and motor fuel tax fund. 'From a financial standpoint, it helps ensure that our community receives its fair share of state and federal funding distributed on a per capita basis,' Marlin said. 'It also is important that we have accurate demographic and housing data in order to plan for programs and services.' Marlin said the partial census also counted residents in several new housing complexes that had been built since 2020. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
