The Urbana City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to approve a redevelopment agreement to help finance a Maryland hotel developer’s plan to renovate and reopen the downtown Urbana Landmark Hotel.
The city of Urbana and Brinshore Development have agreed to pull the plug on an arts-centered residential development that was planned to go up on a city-owned parking lot just across Illinois Street from Lincoln Square Mall.
An unnamed firm has submitted a winning bid of $1.3 million to buy the Urbana Landmark hotel.
Lincoln Square Mall and the old hotel adjacent to it were built to attract people and dollars to downtown Urbana. Both buildings have seen better days. But city officials hope to revitalize the Lincoln Square area — and they’re asking the public for ideas.
“What’s In Your Square?” the city of Urbana’s search for ways to revitalize Lincoln Square is moving to a new level, with a series of public meetings.
