Historic Preservation Commission recommends landmarking Urbana Civic Center, 4‑1, amid transit‑center funding concerns

The Urbana Historic Preservation Commission on June 3 voted 4‑1 to recommend the Urbana Civic Center at 108 East Water Street be designated a local landmark and forwarded that recommendation to the Urbana City Council.

The commission’s action followed a multihour public hearing on nomination case HP2026‑L‑1. Staff recommended the nomination meet five local criteria (A, C, D, E and F) for designation under Article 12 of the Urbana zoning ordinance, citing the building’s 1970 construction, its mid‑century modern design features (flat roof with four pyramidal skylights, deep overhanging eaves and large expanses of metal‑frame windows) and its long history as a community gathering space.

Phyllis Williams, the applicant, presented archival photos, a summary of community uses and an argument that the building is eligible for local designation and already meets the National Register threshold. "This building represents a civic identity and has been a place for everything from farmers markets to public meetings," Williams said during her presentation.

Public comment split sharply. Supporters including architectural historians, preservation advocates and residents told commissioners the structure fills a gap in the city’s inventory of mid‑century resources and argued adaptive reuse is environmentally and socially preferable to demolition. "Mid‑century modern architecture is reaching the 50‑year mark and deserves recognition," said Heather Gman, an architectural historian who testified in favor.

Opponents focused on a competing downtown transit center project led by the Champaign‑Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD). Former Mayor Diane Marlin told the commission landmarking would likely prevent MTD from pursuing a federal Buses and Bus Facilities grant for a planned downtown transit center and cited figures included in MTD materials: a $32 million construction estimate with roughly $25.6 million in federal funds and $6.4 million in local match. "Landmarking the Civic Center will effectively block the MTD from submitting a grant for a transit center at that location," Marlin said.

Staff presented a related MTD memo to the record, which reported that MTD planned to submit a grant application only if the site was not landmarked. Staff clarified in discussion that the MTD memo was an internal document seeking board authorization to apply and that MTD has stated it would not pursue the grant if the site carried landmark restrictions, citing concerns about the feasibility of required bus circulation on the parcel.

Commissioners debated two central questions: whether the commission’s role is limited to applying the designation criteria and whether landmarking necessarily forecloses viable options for a downtown transit center. Several commissioners argued the questions should be considered separately and noted adaptive reuse could be incorporated into transit planning; others said the practical effect of landmark status on a federally funded transit project presented real risks.

After discussion a commissioner moved that the Historic Preservation Commission recommend to Urbana City Council that the property be designated a local landmark conforming with criteria A, C, D, E and F. The motion was seconded and the commission adopted the recommendation by roll call: Mr. Roberts — yes; Mr. Shepard — no; Miss Urban — yes; Mr. Hayes — yes; Miss Odon — yes.

The recommendation does not itself designate the property; it transmits a finding of fact to the Urbana City Council, which holds final authority under Article 12 of the zoning ordinance. Staff and multiple commissioners urged constructive engagement among the city, MTD and community stakeholders to explore design solutions that could pair preservation with transit needs.

Next steps: the commission’s written recommendation and findings will be forwarded to Urbana City Council for a public hearing and final decision. MTD representatives previously told the commission they would refrain from submitting a grant application for 108 East Water Street if the council approves landmark status; council members and MTD officials will need to reconcile preservation priorities and transit funding timelines in coming weeks.

The commission adjourned at approximately 9:25 p.m.