We haven’t shared any new information on The Yards, the giant sports-transportation-hotel-retail complex that was supposed to happen in Downtown Champaign, since 2020. To be honest, I’d completely forgotten that it was a thing. Late last year, The News-Gazette gave an update that cited cost issues as a major reason for delayed progress. However, according to an article published today, the project is still alive, and has new development partners. Core Spaces, the original developer, has apparently withdrawn from the project, but negotations are in the works with Royse Witte Downtown LLC. From the article:
Mike Royse, majority owner of Royse and Brinkmeyer apartments; his business partner, Collin Carlier; and Colorado developer Dennis Witte — all now partners in The Inman — are in the process of finalizing the purchase of a Christie Clinic employee lot at Walnut and Logan streets.
Also involved in that lot purchase is developer Hans Grotelueschen, Royse said.
That lot near The Inman would be the land for the new apartments, he said.
Royse warned this is all in early stages, but also said, “I am optimistic. We’re serious about it.”
Until agreements are all in place and an architect is brought on board to start working on the plans, there aren’t more details to share, Royse said.
The original plans included components both north and south of Logan Avenue. These discussions are about the north of Logan area, which would include an expansion of Illinois Terminal. The south of Logan component, would have been where the proposed hotel and hockey arena lived. That part seems have gone by the wayside, as that land is now for sale. The idea of having a Divison I hockey team here was certainly an interesting thing to ponder.