18-04-2025
Downtown Champaign plaza opens; city announces live music plans
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Downtown Champaign has officially opened its plaza.
'Construction crews have been on a roll downtown: pouring and sandblasting concrete, planting trees, installing new bike racks, and finishing the stage decking,' city officials posted on Facebook. 'There are still a few final touches but…the plaza is open!'
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Final touches that still need to be completed include bench swings, which should be installed at the end of April, and completing the stage in May. Nearby businesses are also setting up outdoor dining.
'From unique bike racks to wood-capped seating with accessibility cutouts, every detail in the plaza contributes to this space being one for everyone to relax, gather, and celebrate,' officials added. 'Come out and explore the space!'
In addition, the city has also announced there will be three weekly concert series performing in the plaza this summer.
These include:
Rhythm & Roots – Live music during the Tuesday Farmers Market from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sound Bites – A lunchtime series on Thursdays, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
And the return of Friday Night Live – on Fridays from 6 p.m. to – 9 p.m.
Phase 2 for the plaza, which will include a public lawn, pop jet fountain and small business kiosks, will break ground next year. Construction for the plaza is funded by state grants.
More pictures of the new plaza can be found by visiting
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