2010-2014 Consolidated Plan - City of Champaign

Chapter 6Strategic Plan: Non-Housing Community DevelopmentThis section outlines strategies proposed to address the non-housing community development needsidentified in Chapter 4, in accordance with HUD directive 91.215(e). These strategies cover publicfacilities, public improvements, economic development, public services, and public safety. The goals forreducing poverty among Champaign residents are also provided here, as required by HUD in 91.215(h).Activities PlannedFollowing the goals and strategies is a listing of activities that will be undertaken in the upcoming year toachieve the stated objectives. Some of the activities can be carried out within one year, others may takelonger to complete. Where resources have been identified to carry out the activities, those are indicatedin parentheses after each activity. Some of the new initiatives are only in the planning stages, so afunding resource may not yet be identified. For each activity that will be carried out by the City or asubrecipient agency with federal funds, a corresponding Project Table is provided in the Annual ActionPlan.Goal 1: Assist in the development of public facilities necessary to address identifiedcommunity needs. The public facility strategies listed below will benefit all residents of Champaign butwill also provide additional benefits to lower income persons or neighborhoods. City support may be inthe form of financial assistance, land donation, technical expertise, or dedication of staff time.Strategies:a) Support the Park District’s efforts to maintain and improve a neighborhood parks systemthat provides adequate access to recreation and open space for all Champaign residents.The Champaign Park District undertakes an annual planning process to determine park facilitiesneeds and develop strategies to address them. The Park District is currently in the process ofcompleting its multi-year Strategic Plan. The following park projects, targeted to low-income areas ofthe City, are anticipated to be carried out within the next 3-5 years.Activities:1) Park Improvements in Low/Moderate Income Neighborhoods: The Park District has plans for theimprovement of park facilities in Citizen’s Park, Hazel Park, and Douglass Park, all of which servelow-income neighborhoods.2) Walking Trails and Paths: The Park District is also developing walking paths to encouragephysical activity. Parks in low-income neighborhoods to receive walking paths over the nextseveral years include: Douglass, Spalding, Johnston, Hazel, and Garden Hills.Goal 2: Maintain a suitable living environment by improving infrastructure systems inaccordance with the priorities identified in the Neighborhood Wellness Plan. The citywideAnalysis section of the Neighborhood Wellness Plan outlines the City’s infrastructure needs by planningarea. The report analyzes the six following systems: alleys, pavement condition, sidewalks, storm andsanitary drainage, and streetlights. Many of the City’s lowest income neighborhoods are in the oldestareas of town and have the oldest infrastructure systems. The Wellness Plan prioritizes neighborhoodinfrastructure needs based on severity of condition and identifies resources for addressing those systemsin poorest condition.Strategic Plan: Non-Housing Community Development 85