The Town of Normal is looking into the issue of unhoused people in Uptown — an issue in bad weather at Uptown Station that could emerge as a significant issue in the future.
“We're looking in terms of the underpass. We think the underpass is probably in inclement weather or cold weather ... going to be kind of a magnet for homeless people. We're having discussions on how we're going to deal with that,” said Mayor Chris Koos.
If there are too many homeless people around, it can scare the public or become a disruption. Koos said those concerns are valid, but perhaps overstated in this case.
“Currently, we have a couple of regulars that are in or outside the station. They pretty much keep to themselves and don't bother people,” Koos said on WGLT's Sound Ideas.
The town doesn't want to put the welcoming community environment in Uptown at risk, though regulation may not be the answer, he said.
“It's very hard when you're talking about public space to say who has a right or doesn't have a right to be in a place,” said Koos. “There's some constitutionality involved in anti-loitering ordinances. That's a tough road to go in my understanding.”
A better approach, he said, is to try helping people get the services they need — and in a scenario where that effort is rejected — try to limit the potential danger to them or to the general public.
“I would say, and this is anecdotal, one of the regulars has no interest in being helped, just wants to be left alone, and tends to be respectful of the space. Although, with all your belongings and a cart, in suitcases, or bags that you carry with you, you kind of stand out,” said Koos.
For now, staff is observing what other communities are doing to address such issues, and brainstorming. There is no timeline to take the issue before the town council.
Business incubator
There were once plans for a business incubator by Illinois State University in the either the Trail East or Trail West projects in Uptown. With changes in university administration and delays in progress on those projects, the concept has receded.
But Koos said Twin City the community does need a business incubator, adding incubators have developed a spirit of entrepreneurism in many communities in the U.S.
“Often if you have a business startup idea that has some legs, the current thinking is you're going to go to Chicago, where the dollars are to do that. To somehow develop a homegrown environment where you can do that would help to keep those businesses here. A lot of times they want to be here,” said Koos.
He said the Trail East and West locations are no longer viewed as viable because of the current lending environment.
“COVID dramatically reset the idea of commercial office space," said Koos. "It's almost impossible, right now, for developers to build that kind of space unless it's in an ownership scenario. In other words, building spaces for rent, or building a space that a university would use in a 10-year lease. But you're looking at a maybe a 30-year or a 20-year finance package. Banks are very, very nervous about financing those kinds of projects right now and rightfully so.”
Illinois Wesleyan University has had an incubator, although it's been student-centric and development leaders in the community have previously noted it did not have the capacity to serve all the needs of the business community. IWU has said it is open to community involvement, but there also have been delays in constructing the university's new Petrick Idea Center that will house and enhance the campus incubator.
Koos said such incubators typically start with universities offering a proving ground for students, but they cannot succeed without community involvement.
“Internally at ISU, I think there's a discussion on renewing that. I think they're more concerned with how it's funded. It's part of a statewide funding process.
The town is still waiting on a development agreement on the Trail East and West projects. Those will now be mainly residential and have less office space than previously envisioned, said Koos.
