Tom’s #Mailbag, May 27, 2022 | Tom’s Mailbag

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This week’s mailbag is fatter than a golf course goose. We now have questions on one other “pop-up” disturbance in Champaign, Quik Journey’s plans in Champaign, items of Memorial Stadium turf and the State Farm Heart basketball ground on the market, delays for a brand new resort in Rantoul and Stevie Jay Broadcasting strikes to Philo.

Additionally, Carle’s facility charge, the unsure way forward for the previous Spherical Barn Restaurant, panhandling, Champaign’s first airport and plans progress on widening a portion of Prospect Avenue.

Incident at Mach 1

“In The Information-Gazette story from (final) weekend, it says there have been 40 vehicles blocking fuel pumps at Mach 1 in the course of the evening. Are you able to clarify what may this be about? Is it an issue?”

We received this assertion from Champaign Police command about what seems to have been a “pop-up occasion” much like those which have plagued downtown Champaign:

“Relating to this incident, officers have been dispatched to the 900-block of W. Bloomington Highway within the early hours of Sunday, Might 22 for reviews of two topics brandishing weapons within the car parking zone of a fuel station. In describing the scene, reporting individuals additionally indicated that quite a lot of autos have been inappropriately occupying the car parking zone. Responding officers noticed two people matching the outline of the preliminary report leaving the scene in a black SUV and adopted the car. After witnessing a site visitors violation, officers stopped the SUV and positioned two handguns with prolonged magazines within the car, together with open alcohol containers.

“In response to officers, this gathering seems to be a loosely organized gathering the place a number of people discovered an open space, then parked there and held an impromptu occasion. As a result of such occasions typically happen with no formal discover, they are often difficult to find till they’re underway. The Champaign Police Division continues to work proactively to handle these gatherings as they happen, as such gatherings can have a direct, adverse impression on surrounding companies and residences. Typically, they arrive with issues associated to open alcohol and disruptive noise, and related gatherings have been linked to weapons offenses, together with photographs fired incidents. The Champaign Police Division encourages anybody being disrupted by such an occasion to instantly contact our non-emergency dispatch at 217-333-8911.”

The division is unable to confirm if there truly have been 40 vehicles on the Mach 1 however “it was sufficient to be disruptive and warrant a name reporting the gathering,” mentioned police spokesman Joe Lamberson.

Memorial Stadium turf sale?

“Is the College of Illinois promoting items of the turf they pulled up at Memorial Stadium this week?”

“We’re nonetheless choices for probably promoting commemorative items of the Memorial Stadium enjoying floor,” mentioned Illinois Affiliate Athletic Director Kent Brown. “We’ll definitely share extra info as soon as it turns into accessible. The basketball courtroom at State Farm Heart can also be being changed in September, and we’re undoubtedly choices to make items of the ground accessible on the market to followers.”

Former financial institution website

“Geese and mosquitoes hanging out within the enormous gap at nook of State and Clark Streets in Champaign. Any plans for this nook?”

The proprietor of the property — which most just lately was a  Areas Financial institution location — is ready for higher climate circumstances to permit for the supply and compaction of soil throughout backfill, mentioned Randy Smith, Champaign’s constructing security supervisor.

“We now have been in touch with the proprietor and so they anticipate to renew but this week. They’ve been onsite dewatering the excavation in preparation,” Smith mentioned.

Quik Journey nonetheless coming?

“I work at Battery Specialist + Golf Vehicles positioned at 133 W. Kenyon Highway in Champaign. Someday earlier this 12 months, the Quik Journey firm utilized for his or her constructing allow for the property subsequent door to us the place (the Vacation Inn) used to take a seat. We’re a bit of anxious to lastly get some neighbors subsequent to us and hopefully beautify extra of this space down right here. Are you able to inform me once they may be set to interrupt floor or the place they’re at of their proceedings?”

Quik Journey didn’t get again to us, however Bruce Knight, Champaign’s planning & growth director, mentioned “my understanding is that they’re persevering with to work to finalize their plans and get the entire approvals they want. I haven’t got any info on once they may break floor.”

A number of constructing permits for the undertaking, together with a Quik Journey retailer, are underneath overview by Champaign’s constructing providers division.

Prospect Avenue widening

“What’s the standing of the widening of Prospect Avenue in Champaign?”

It is within the early levels of growth, mentioned Kensil Garnett, the Area 3 engineer for the Illinois Division of Transportation.

“Clark Dietz is the prime advisor for this undertaking and they’re utilizing Fehr-Graham & Associates and The Roderick Group, Inc. as subconsultants. The part I engineering (research) for this undertaking is underway,” mentioned Garnett. “The Intersection Design Research are advancing. The preliminary typical sections for the undertaking have been developed. We’re anticipating {that a} public info assembly might be held this summer time.”

IDOT’s multi-year program lists the undertaking as: “Resurfacing and widening on 1.6 miles, intersection enchancment, site visitors sign modernization, land acquisition and utility changes are programmed throughout FY 2023-2027 at a value of $16 million.”

Stevie Jay Broadcasting

“Did Steve Jay transfer out of Urbana? The constructing appears to be like to have been emptied.”

Stevie Jay Broadcasting left Urbana final weekend and has moved to Philo, the hometown of station supervisor Stevie Jay Khachaturian.

“We’re in Philo, the Heart of the Universe, and I’m about 38 ft from a ribeye steak sandwich on the Philo Tavern,” mentioned the at all times enthusiastic Khachaturian.

The station’s former headquarters at 2702 Boulder Drive in Urbana is listed as accessible by the Atkins Group.

Khachaturian’s 4 stations — WQQB-FM, WGKC-FM, WSJK-FM and WJEK-FM — are broadcasting out of the Versabar constructing in Philo, on the nook of Washington and Harrison streets, not more than 300 yards from his boyhood residence.

“We now have to be the smallest group with probably the most radio stations on the planet,” mentioned Khachaturian.

“The mayor (Larry Franks) was on the air welcoming me and the village board despatched me flowers from the Blossom Basket! It’s an actual throwback to native radio and it’s going to be terrifically enjoyable.”

He mentioned the studios for US 105, a rustic music station that additionally carries Cubs video games, are inside what is named because the Catholic Financial institution Vault.

“It was round 1913. My info says there have been principally Protestants on the Catholic Financial institution Board,” Khachaturian mentioned.

New Rantoul resort

“What’s the standing of the brand new resort to open in Rantoul?”

Horve Hospitality Administration Inc. of Forsyth mentioned final 12 months it might construct an 80-bed Hampton Inn by Hilton with eight suites close to the Rantoul Household Sports activities Advanced on the village’s west facet.

“The event of the Hampton Inn has been delayed by the numerous enhance in development materials prices,” mentioned Scott Eisenhauer, Rantoul’s village administrator. “Whereas unlucky, all of us acknowledge this resort was being constructed primarily based on sure projections in prices, and as these bills escalated, it diminishes the profitability of the enterprise.

“Our hopes are the market will re-adjust shortly bringing pricing of supplies down a bit and development of this undertaking, and quite a lot of different initiatives, can start.”

Carle facility charge

“I’ve had buddies expertise a constructing charge added to their Carle Hospital invoice. It varies from $300 to $750, however is just not coated by insurance coverage. How and when are constructing charges added to a affected person’s care? Why is there a discrepancy? To whom ought to an individual about to have a process ask in regards to the constructing charge so there’s not a shock invoice along with their co-pay.”

“Facility charges are these providers charged for by the hospital. Skilled charges are these charged for by physicians and different skilled suppliers,” defined Carle spokeswoman Brittany Simon. “That is known as Supplier Primarily based Billing, which is an appropriate billing observe utilized by many healthcare methods.

“Carle makes use of Supplier Primarily based Billing to assist us proceed to fulfill the healthcare wants of the communities we serve effectively into the longer term. What might seem like a reproduction cost in your assertion is a separation of the ability charge and the skilled charge.

“We at all times encourage sufferers to contact their respective insurance coverage corporations to confirm protection earlier than their scheduled visits and/or procedures. For extra details about understanding your invoice in addition to the Carle Monetary Help Program, please go to Carle.org or contact name Carle Affected person Monetary Companies at (888) 712-2753.”

Flatville Highway

“Are you able to see what number of occasions within the final 10 years that Champaign County has resurfaced the Flatville slab going east from Thomasboro after which the slab going west to Mattis? I really feel prefer it get completed each couple of years.”

Champaign County Engineer Jeff Blue mentioned the highway was resurfaced about 10 years in the past and has been seal coated as soon as since.

Submit workplace field inflation

“I used to be shocked to see that my publish workplace field charge has jumped up one hundred pc. Final 12 months I paid $116 for the 12 months, this 12 months it’s $232. Does it need to do with the placement: 202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana?”

Costs for publish workplace containers elevated nationwide, mentioned Sharrie Johnson, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service in Bedford Park.

“As a part of our Delivering for America 10-year plan to attain monetary sustainability and repair excellence, the Postal Service adjusted market dominant costs for Ceaselessly stamps and different services and products, together with P.O. containers,” she mentioned. “Even with the will increase, USPS costs stay among the many world’s most inexpensive.”

Champaign’s first airport

“What was the identify of airport on North Mattis as you go over Interstate 74 in Champaign?”

That was first often called Champaign Municipal Airport when it opened in 1928. It was a dream of the Champaign Chamber of Commerce to function an airport that might present an aviation connection to Chicago and different cities.

There truly have been common flights between Atlanta and Chicago, by means of Champaign, Terre Haute, Evansville, Nashville and Chattanooga, on Interstate Airways Inc. for about six weeks. Then the flights ended.

The Nice Melancholy put an finish to the considered Champaign as a terrific aviation heart. By that point solely three personal planes have been saved on the airport, one in all them belonging to Champaign service provider Frank Robeson.

Within the Nineteen Forties and ’50s it was often called Taynor-Harris Subject as a result of flying instructors Earl Taynor and Ben Harris offered aviation instruction there.

The airport north of Interstate 74 and west of Mattis Avenue closed in 1957.

Mahomet college bond difficulty

“Have you learnt how the college bond referendum for Mahomet will learn within the June 28 poll?

This is the wording of the referendum query, taken from the web site of the Champaign County clerk: “Shall the Board of Training of Mahomet-Seymour Group Unit Faculty District Quantity 3, Champaign and Piatt Counties, Illinois, construct and equip a college constructing to switch the Mahomet-Seymour Junior Excessive Faculty Constructing on a distinct website owned by mentioned Faculty District, construct and equip a transportation facility to switch the present transportation facility, construct and equip additions to and alter, restore and equip current college buildings, enhance websites and difficulty bonds of mentioned Faculty District to the quantity of $97,900,000 for the aim of paying the prices thereof?”

This is the place to go to see a listing of candidates and referenda.

Harmful panhandling

“Why does not town cease the panhandling on Prospect Avenue, leaving Goal, by the freeway on the overpass on North Prospect. It is harmful and distracting.”

The Supreme Court docket and different federal courts have dominated that bans on streetside and roadside panhandling is unconstitutional, a violation of First Amendments rights to free speech.

U.S. District Decide Robert Gettleman, in a case involving two homeless males ticketed for panhandling in Downers Grove, dominated in 2021 {that a} state legislation proscribing panhandling “is a content-based restriction on the liberty of speech that isn’t justified by any compelling curiosity and that the supply violates the First Modification and is unconstitutional on its face underneath clearly established legislation …”

Bradley Avenue & Bluegrass Lane

“A press launch on Might nineteenth learn ‘As a part of town’s Bradley Avenue Enchancment Mission, Cross Development will shut the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Bluegrass Lane to start reconstruction on Tuesday, Might 24, 2022.’

“Will this reconstruction embrace sidewalk and curb cuts to make crossing Bradley Avenue between Sawgrass and Boulder Ridge subdivisions at Bluegrass simpler? Presently a pedestrian should enter a grassy proper of means or the roadway earlier than crossing due to the place the sidewalk ends. It is common to see pedestrians crossing right here — doubtless Sawgrass residents on their option to or from Sundown Ridge Park, or walkers/joggers from each neighborhoods in search of a change of surroundings.'”

Champaign Public Works spokesman Kris Koester mentioned that this 12 months’s undertaking on Bradley Avenue contains:

— Resurfacing of the asphalt pavement from Bluegrass Lane to Staley Highway.

— Widening and paving of the shoulders on Bradley Avenue from Bluegrass Lane to Staley Highway, together with marking the shoulders for bike lanes.

— Concrete pavement repairs on the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Bluegrass Lane.

— Curb and gutter modifications to permit for the extension of motorbike lanes to Duncan Highway.

“Sidewalks and different full avenue facilities are a part of a future undertaking to be recognized,” mentioned Koester.

Former Spherical Barn Restaurant

“What’s the historical past of the Spherical Barn Restaurant (previously Well-known Dave’s BBQ) close to Springfield and Mattis in Champaign? It appears to be like prefer it’s falling aside. Does it have a future in our group?”

There’s hope that it has a future however for now it is unsure. We answered this query a few 12 months in the past and nothing has modified in that point, mentioned Laura Shapland, supervisor at Shapland Administration in Champaign.

George Shapland (Laura’s father) was one of many unique builders of the Spherical Barn space, buying the namesake barn in 1964 alongside along with his brother Robert and with Roy Stout.

As we wrote final 12 months, they moved the barn about 100 ft from its unique location and developed it right into a first-class restaurant that opened in 1969 and lasted greater than 20 years close to the nook of Mattis and Springfield avenues.

However occasions have modified.

“We’re evaluating what to do with the realm within the spherical bar and the way it associated to Champaign’s plans are for making Springfield Avenue an arterial avenue again by Neil Avenue and whether or not that is going to be a significant inlet from west Champaign or not,” George Shapland mentioned final summer time. “That entire factor contains what occurs to Nation Truthful (Procuring Heart). We’re attempting to judge the entire space and make plans for it.”

Razing the previous barn is a risk, he mentioned.

“Tearing down is an possibility,” Shapland mentioned, “due to the inefficiency of the constructing and its age. Nevertheless it was a really profitable operation for quite a lot of years.’

Laura Shapland mentioned this week that “the aim is to get somebody in there, ideally one other restaurant.”

However demolition “has received to be on the desk though it is definitely not our first selection.“

Native historical past objects

“Who chooses the seemingly random Space Historical past information tidbits on web page two? My pal’s father has been talked about a few occasions from 50 years in the past and that is enjoyable to see his identify in print once more. However they actually do appear very random.”

I am glad to know you learn them. I write them and they’re chosen primarily based on their significance at the moment (typically the highest story of the day) and their relevance and curiosity 50, 100 or 15 years later.

Followup on weedy railroad property

Town of Urbana adopted up on final week’s grievance about weeds and particles that had collected alongside an deserted railroad proper of means at Washington Avenue in east Urbana.

“This was the primary grievance town obtained this 12 months relating to this property, nevertheless up to now our workplace has obtained the occasional grievance,” mentioned Nick Hanson, a constructing official with town. “In response to county data, the railroad spur remains to be owned by Norfolk & Western Railroad. A Code Compliance Inspector visited this property and had the realm instantly adjoining to the sidewalk mowed down to attenuate the potential of poison ivy publicity. A follow-up discover of violation has been despatched to the railroad of the violations noticed and the railroad has been given 14 days to handle the problems, in any other case town of Urbana will return and have all of the violations abated.

“Because of your reader for bringing this to our consideration. Residents can at all times file a grievance with town relating to issues like these on-line at: www.citizenserve.com/urbanaillinois.”