The City of Urbana defines the “public realm” as “publicly-owned street rights-of-way and other publicly accessible open spaces such as parks, squares, plazas, courtyards, and alleys.” They are looking to involve community members in improving this part of downtown.
Right now, you can go the study website and use their interactive map to offer commentary on how you use those spaces now, and what you’d like to see in the future. If you take a look at the map, it’s notable that a significant portion of the area is occupied by parking lots.
We recently did a little imaginative exercise, wondering what the future of Downtown Urbana might look like, and that includes turning some of those parking lots into green space.
Here’s your opportunity to offer your thoughts. Eventually, “a series of urban realm plan options will be created and presented to the public and city leadership. A final preferred public realm master plan will be selected and move forward into implementation to make the vision a reality.”
Top image from City of Urbana.