Main Street Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements Informational Meeting

On Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the City of Urbana will hold an informational meeting concerning the proposed Main Street Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements between Vine Street and University Avenue.  The meeting will be held at the Urbana Civic Center, 108 East Water Street, Urbana, Illinois.  All persons interested in this project are invited to attend this meeting.  Any person with a disability planning to attend this meeting should contact the individual listed below by Thursday, July 19, 2012, if special accommodations are required.  The meeting room is accessible to persons with disabilities.

The meeting will be conducted on an informal basis.  A brief presentation on the status of the project and the proposed improvements will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Representatives of the City of Urbana will be available from 6:00 p.m. until the presentation begins and also after the presentation ends to discuss the project.  Representatives will answer individual questions offered by those in attendance.  The option to provide written comments will be available.  Verbatim comments will not be recorded.  The presentation will address the proposed improvements, including the lane reductions between Art Bartell Road and Scottswood Drive and the addition of bike lanes along the corridor.  Preliminary exhibits will be available for inspection and viewing during the entire time.

The City of Urbana is also seeking public comments on the effects that the Main Street improvements will have on Weaver Park.  Weaver Park, which is under the jurisdiction of the Urbana Park District, is a publicly owned park.  As such, it is subject to protection under Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966.  For the Main Street improvements, the City of Urbana intends to seek a Section 4(f) "de minimis" impact finding from the Federal Highway Administration based on a determination that the project will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities that qualify Weaver Park for protection under Section 4(f). 

The proposed shared use path to be constructed along Weaver Park will serve the pedestrians on Main Street, and it will also be incorporated into the proposed system of pedestrian paths within the park.  The proposed shared use path is included in the City of Urbana's Bicycle Master Plan and the Urbana Park District's Weaver Park Master Plan.  Documentation to support the request for the "de minimis" impact finding will be available for viewing at the meeting.

Written comments must be received by Thursday, August 9, 2012 to be considered as a part of the public record.

For more information, please contact Mr. Gale Jamison, PE, Assistant City Engineer, City of Urbana Public Works Department, 706 South Glover Avenue, Urbana, Illinois  61802, 217-384-2343.