News Local/State

Champaign City Council Approves Research Park Expansion

By Jim Meadows
 
Construction at the University of Illinois Research Park.

Construction is well underway for TDFC IV, a new mixed use building at the University of Illinois Research Park in Champaign. Construction is expected to be completed this summer. Jim Meadows / Illinois Public Media

The research park at the University of Illinois continues to grow. The Champaign City Council approved two measures Tuesday night for the research park’s expansion on the south end of Champaign.

City Planning Director Bruce Knight says occupancy at the research park is at an all-time high --- and it’s a race to get new buildings in place.

“The research part is up to something like 1,700 employees, which would be one of our largest employers in the community if you look at it as a whole," Knight said. "And they continue to get interest from more and more companies that want to be part of the action there, if you will."

The city council approved a development agreement to provide infrastructure for a new office-and-lab building going up south of the I-Hotel and Conference Center. Research Park Director Laura Frerichs says the building should be completed this summer.

The council also approved development of a three-story mixed-used building for office and retail use. Frerichs says that building should be completed by December.