Two weeks after the Champaign Historic Preservation Commission nominated three buildings for historic landmark status, the Champaign Plan Commission has recommended denying that status, to allow for the expansion of Champaign Central High School.
Three buildings that the Champaign School Board wants to tear down for the expansion of Central High School have been nominated for local landmark status. The action approved Thursday by the Champaign Historic Preservation Commission occurred the same day that the school board filed formal protests with the city.
Susan Appel, a board member with the Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign County (PACA), talks about her group’s efforts to seek city landmark status for three buildings slated to be torn down for the expansion of Champaign Central High School.
The Champaign School Board now holds options on eight sites near Central High School, which doesn't mean Unit 4 will necessarily purchase the properties, but has an 18-month window to decide. An advisory committee is being formed that will meet almost weekly, discussing possible expansion in the area, with a report due in May.
The Twin City Derby Girls now has secured a downtown Champaign site for its future practices and bouts - but it will take about $20,000 and some construction work. Last month, the roller derby team secured a 3-year lease for the former McKinley YMCA building on Church Street.
