City Council lowers speed limit for some streets, alleys

By Sharita Forrest, Assistant Editor
(217) 244-1072; slforres@illinois.edu

Motorists: Slow down in Campustown or that flashing red light in the rearview mirror won’t be Rudolf’s nose.

A reduced speed limit on campus area streets and alleys goes into effect Nov. 20, following passage of an ordinance by the Champaign City Council at its Nov. 6 meeting.

The ordinance establishes 25 mph and 15 mph speed limits, respectively, on streets and alleys within the University District, an area roughly bounded by University Avenue on the north, Windsor Road on the south, Neil Street on the west and Wright Street on the east.

The University District was established by the City Council at its July 17, meeting.

The reduced speed limit, proposed by Champaign City Manager Steven C. Carter, is intended to enhance pedestrian safety in areas with high-volume pedestrian traffic.

However, the new speed limit does not apply to First Street, Kirby Avenue, Wright Street, Springfield Avenue or Wright and Fourth streets north of Springfield Avenue. These peripheral streets were specifically excluded either because they fall outside the high-pedestrian-traffic zone or because they fall under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation rather than the city.

During the first 30 days of the new ordinance, Champaign police will step up traffic enforcement to encourage motorist compliance with the new speed limit, said Champaign Police Chief Jim Luecking in a telephone interview.
UI police likewise will be keeping a watchful eye out for violators when the new speed limit takes effect.

"We expect to be doing a lot of ‘education’ on the new speed limit," said Capt. Rick Kallmayer of the UI police department, referring to increased patrols in the area. "It’s going to be a real change for people."

In other campus-related business, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution tentatively establishing the Campustown Special Service Area, a funding mechanism proposed by city planners to finance streetscape improvements in Campustown. If no objections are filed within the next 60 days, the council will be free to enact legislation officially establishing the
Campustown Special Service Area at the Feb. 5, council meeting.

Under the arrangement, additional property taxes would be assessed on private property owners in the Campustown area to cover the $1.1 million in projected costs of decorative streetscaping in Campustown. Enhancements such as decorative signage, planters and benches would not be covered by the city under the Campustown Infrastructure Reconstruction and Streetscape Project slated to begin in March. The city will be funding its share of the reconstruction project – a maximum of $5.6 million – through rededication of the city’s food and beverage tax.

During discussion, council members raised questions about the duration of the Special Service Area taxation and the potential economic impact of property ownership changing from private to public use while subject to the arrangement. Bruce Knight, Champaign City planning director, said that the planning department would schedule a study session with the City Council in the near future to address these and other questions related to the special service area issue.