The Normal Town Council will soon vote on a plan for further development of Uptown Normal.
Architect Doug Farr of Farr Associates presented the master plan for Uptown South on Monday night during a council work session. The plan includes road expansion, mixed-use buildings, four public parks and plazas, and a parking deck.
PDF: Review Uptown South Master Plan (PDF)
Farr emphasized elements of the plan that respond to community input, including green space, sustainable design and walkability. The area also may utilize an all-electric approach to utilities, eliminating cost and health concerns associated with natural gas.
"Uptown itself, north of the tracks is fairly close to being done with Trailside East and Trailside West, we're kind of running out of new stuff to do. It makes perfect sense to extend Uptown to south of the tracks," Farr told the council, referencing the planned underpass that will link the new development with the existing Uptown.
The development is intended to meet the needs of expanding population, increased employment, and housing demand. While studies conducted for the plan indicate these will keep the area well used, no developers have yet expressed specific intentions.
Farr estimated that the entire development would cost in the tens of millions of dollars and be built in phases over nine to 10 years.
Council member Stan Nord raised concerns about whether developers would fill the area, citing examples of vacant space elsewhere and the cost of the project.
“I would like to see this area opened up to the public, and let the free market decide what they want. Sell it as a big lot and see if they put something there," said Nord after the presentation.
City manager Pam Reece said the council will likely vote on the plan in a meeting on March 6 or 20.
Kerrick Road
During the council's regular meeting, it approved a measure to improve Kerrick Road and its intersection with Main Street. The vote was a unanimous 7-0.
The $1.7 million project will update traffic signals at the intersection and expand a portion of Kerrick Road.
“It’s a three-lane improvement to the pavement … it’s a significant improvement because there’s a one million square foot warehouse that’s very busy over there,” said Reece, referring to the large warehouse Rivian has started to access. The project’s intent is largely to tackle increased traffic generated by that operation.
Reece indicated the town has secured a $600,000 state grant to offset a portion of the cost. The town also can be reimbursed up to $2 million through a Tax Increment Finance district for infrastructure improvements linked to the site. Those funds have not yet been collected, as they accumulate through increased future property values, Reece explained to the council.
Construction will begin when weather permits and could finish as soon as Oct. 1.
