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Daily Illini Articles on African-American Experience in Champaign-Urbana (September 2010)
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Daily Illini Articles on African-American Experience in Champaign-Urbana (September 2010)
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http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/09/28/champaign-city-council-disscuss-fate-of-bristol-park-neighborhood
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/09/19/potential-agreement-reached-between-carrington-family-city-of-champ
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/09/20/urbana-city-council-delays-ordinance-on-controversial-historical-la
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Champaign City Council disscuss fate of Bristol Park neighborhood
Nishat Khan News staff writer
Posted: September 28th, 2010 - 10:42 PM
Updated: September 28th, 2010 - 10:42 PM
Tagged with: Bristol, CCC, Champaign City, Gordy Hulten, Greg Skaggs, Marci Dodds, Michael LaDue, Mishauno Woggon, One Main building, Champaign-Urbana
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Champaign City Council convened Tuesday night to discuss the Bristol Park neighborhood plan and the multi-family recycling program that will begin later on this year.
The Bristol Park neighborhood is an area of Champaign is located north of Bradley Avenue to Interstate 74 and east of Neil Street to Canadian National Railroad tracks.
The area is composed of three areas, including Bristol Place, Garwood Addition and Sherwood. The Bristol Place and Garwood neighborhoods are home to a predominantly African American communities, while a majority of Hispanics reside in Sherwood.
“The vacant properties in the area have contributed to crime in the area,†said Gordy Hulten, council member district 5.
Juvenile delinquency is also a problem in the area, said Michael LaDue, district 2.
“If those problems aren’t addressed all the other problems are perpetuated,†LaDue said.
Home ownership in the area has given way to an increasing number of rental properties, said Greg Skaggs, community development specialist for the city.
Many of the homes in this area are the oldest in Champaign, dating from the 1800s to the 1930s, according to Skaggs.
He added despite the age of the homes, the neighborhood is home to mostly young families.
Many of the rental properties have been subject to a lack of maintenance, a problem which city staff wants to address in its plan, Skaggs said.
Skaggs said there needed to be a way to hold landlords more accountable for their properties.
The plan discusses a number of goals including creating better housing, engaging residents in opportunities that create a healthy quality of life, enhancing neighborhood aesthetics, and promoting a safe and stable environment.
Mishauno Woggon, a planner for the city, said the Bristol Park community needs to become an area where neighbors feel encouraged to know one another, where people invest in community facilities that serve neighborhood needs, and where people value the safety of community.
Marci Dodds, council member district 4, said she hopes neighborhood development is not a benchmark but a beginning.
“They live there and the residents need to be involved,†Dodds said.
The council voted to give further direction to city staff to implement the plan; it will be brought before the council again on December 7.
Also on the agenda was the discussion of the multi-family recycling program which is slated to begin on December 1.
City staff has run into problems with mixed buildings, properties that have residential units as well as commercial units.
With the current set-up, commercial units that are part of those buildings are benefitting from the recycling program without paying any additional fees.
Examples of mixed buildings in Champaign include Carrie’s Jewelry and Antiques Shop and the One Main building in downtown Champaign.
City staff said that it has been difficult to establish a separate fee for the commercial units.
Council voted to include the mixed buildings in the recycling program for now, until an additional fee is decided later on.
Council also voted that buildings with fewer than five units be included in the program if they share garbage collection facilities with buildings that have more than five units, and are also part of the program.
City staff also recommended that all nonprofit organizations be required to participate in the recycling program; council members voted to pass this recommendation.
The recycling program will be up and running on December 1.
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Potential agreement reached between Carrington family, City of Champaign
Nishat Khan News staff writer
Posted: September 19th, 2010 - 10:49 PM
Updated: September 20th, 2010 - 3:47 PM
Tagged with: Champaign, Champaign Circuit Court, Chicago, Daniel Norbits, Fred Stavins, James Montgomery Jr., Julia Rietz, Kenesha Williams, Kiwane Carrington, Michael LaDue, Steve Carter, Champaign-Urbana
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The City of Champaign and the family of Kiwane Carrington, a 15-year-old boy who was killed last year during an altercation with Champaign police, have reached a potential settlement agreement in the case.
City Attorney Fred Stavins said the agreement is numbered at $470,000, which would go to the family if approved at Tuesday evening’s city council meeting. It is also pending approval and authorization by the city court.
The lawsuit was filed last year with the Champaign Circuit Court by Chicago lawyer James Montgomery Jr. on behalf of Carrington’s sister Kenesha Williams. The suit has cost the city more than $24,924 in legal fees.
City council members were largely absent from settlement discussions that have been ongoing since last November. Council Member Michael LaDue, District 2, said the city council’s absence from the legal discussion was appropriate.
“When this became a matter of litigation, this became something council didn’t discuss,†he said.
LaDue said the shooting was an accident and disputed the idea that racial profiling was involved.
“It was a perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances that came together to produce tragedy,†LaDue said.
Carrington was killed last October in a shooting involving Police Officer Daniel Norbits and Police Chief RT Finney. Carrington and his friend Jeshaun Manning Carter were in the backyard of a residence at 906 W. Vine St. when Finney and Norbits responded to a burglary call at that address. According to reports, a physical struggle between Carrington and Norbits ensued, which led to the officer discharging his firearm.
The office of State’s Attorney Julia Rietz ruled that the fatal shooting was an accident, but Norbits was given a 30-day suspension earlier this year by City Manager Steve Carter for failing to follow police protocol and maintain control of his weapon. The suspension was the maximum penalty the city could give Norbits, who is on paid administrative leave.
The lawsuit filed by Montgomery in part accuses Norbits of being negligent.Stavins said he anticipates some kind of closure will come with the end of the settlement.
“Nothing is going to bring this young man back, but this is society’s way of dealing with these matters,†he said.
Stavins also said he does not know that any amount of money could be considered closure for a loss in a family.
“The family will continue to feel a loss their entire life; the community, we hope, can come together and move forward from this,†he said.
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Urbana City Council delays ordinance on controversial historical landmark
Posted: September 20th, 2010 - 10:48 PM
Updated: September 20th, 2010 - 10:48 PM
Tagged with: Africa, Appeals, Baptist Church, Board of Appeals, Brian Dolinar, Charlie Smyth, David Seyler, Dennis Roberts, Malawi, Robert Myers, Urbana, Urbana Planning, Champaign-Urbana
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By Taylor Goldenstein, Contributing Writer
The Urbana City Council approved five ordinances and chose to postpone one ordinance until next week at its weekly Monday meeting. The postponed ordinance involves a historical landmark that sits on the property of Canaan Baptist Church, 404 W. Main St., in Urbana.
Canaan Baptist Church is interested in building a parking lot in the area where the house now stands. The proposal has faced resistance from local residents as well as local history preservationists, such as Brian Dolinar, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association in Urbana.
“In this particular case, we have time for careful, deliberate investigation of the issue,†said Urbana Planning Manager Robert Myers. “I don’t think that the structure is under imminent demolition threat so we have ... time to look at it carefully.â€
While several residents offered their opinions in front of the council, further discussion will wait. Ward 1 Council Member Charlie Smyth plans to send the ordinance to committee for the Sept. 27 meeting.
Other ordinances passed included a couple regarding the purchases of certain real estates: 1205 W. Beslin St. and 909 Harvey St.
It is the staff’s intent to make the space on West Beslin Street available for housing after clearing out the area. It would sell for $3,590, plus a tax of $2,800. The Harvey Street property is a vacant lot that is immediately available.
Another ordinance regarding the amendment of a zoning map to the city passed, with support from the city staff, who voted 6-0 to recommend the ordinance for the council’s approval.
Two other ordinances were also passed that entailed major variances of two different properties. Of the 902 E. Illinois St. area, Ward 5 Council Member Dennis Roberts said it was a pleasure to see those houses that were abandoned finally purchased and renovated.
In the last order of new business, David Seyler, Urbana resident of 50 years and building contractor, was appointed to serve for both the Historic Preservation Committee and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals until 2011 and 2013 respectively.
In addition, time was made for Roberts to speak about the trip he made at the end of this August with a group to Malawi, the sister city of Urbana in Africa.
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/09/19/potential-agreement-reached-between-carrington-family-city-of-champ
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/09/20/urbana-city-council-delays-ordinance-on-controversial-historical-la
Full-text:
Champaign City Council disscuss fate of Bristol Park neighborhood
Nishat Khan News staff writer
Posted: September 28th, 2010 - 10:42 PM
Updated: September 28th, 2010 - 10:42 PM
Tagged with: Bristol, CCC, Champaign City, Gordy Hulten, Greg Skaggs, Marci Dodds, Michael LaDue, Mishauno Woggon, One Main building, Champaign-Urbana
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ShareThisShare on FacebookRecommend thisPost a commentDecrease Text SizeIncrease Text Size
Champaign City Council convened Tuesday night to discuss the Bristol Park neighborhood plan and the multi-family recycling program that will begin later on this year.
The Bristol Park neighborhood is an area of Champaign is located north of Bradley Avenue to Interstate 74 and east of Neil Street to Canadian National Railroad tracks.
The area is composed of three areas, including Bristol Place, Garwood Addition and Sherwood. The Bristol Place and Garwood neighborhoods are home to a predominantly African American communities, while a majority of Hispanics reside in Sherwood.
“The vacant properties in the area have contributed to crime in the area,†said Gordy Hulten, council member district 5.
Juvenile delinquency is also a problem in the area, said Michael LaDue, district 2.
“If those problems aren’t addressed all the other problems are perpetuated,†LaDue said.
Home ownership in the area has given way to an increasing number of rental properties, said Greg Skaggs, community development specialist for the city.
Many of the homes in this area are the oldest in Champaign, dating from the 1800s to the 1930s, according to Skaggs.
He added despite the age of the homes, the neighborhood is home to mostly young families.
Many of the rental properties have been subject to a lack of maintenance, a problem which city staff wants to address in its plan, Skaggs said.
Skaggs said there needed to be a way to hold landlords more accountable for their properties.
The plan discusses a number of goals including creating better housing, engaging residents in opportunities that create a healthy quality of life, enhancing neighborhood aesthetics, and promoting a safe and stable environment.
Mishauno Woggon, a planner for the city, said the Bristol Park community needs to become an area where neighbors feel encouraged to know one another, where people invest in community facilities that serve neighborhood needs, and where people value the safety of community.
Marci Dodds, council member district 4, said she hopes neighborhood development is not a benchmark but a beginning.
“They live there and the residents need to be involved,†Dodds said.
The council voted to give further direction to city staff to implement the plan; it will be brought before the council again on December 7.
Also on the agenda was the discussion of the multi-family recycling program which is slated to begin on December 1.
City staff has run into problems with mixed buildings, properties that have residential units as well as commercial units.
With the current set-up, commercial units that are part of those buildings are benefitting from the recycling program without paying any additional fees.
Examples of mixed buildings in Champaign include Carrie’s Jewelry and Antiques Shop and the One Main building in downtown Champaign.
City staff said that it has been difficult to establish a separate fee for the commercial units.
Council voted to include the mixed buildings in the recycling program for now, until an additional fee is decided later on.
Council also voted that buildings with fewer than five units be included in the program if they share garbage collection facilities with buildings that have more than five units, and are also part of the program.
City staff also recommended that all nonprofit organizations be required to participate in the recycling program; council members voted to pass this recommendation.
The recycling program will be up and running on December 1.
-------
Potential agreement reached between Carrington family, City of Champaign
Nishat Khan News staff writer
Posted: September 19th, 2010 - 10:49 PM
Updated: September 20th, 2010 - 3:47 PM
Tagged with: Champaign, Champaign Circuit Court, Chicago, Daniel Norbits, Fred Stavins, James Montgomery Jr., Julia Rietz, Kenesha Williams, Kiwane Carrington, Michael LaDue, Steve Carter, Champaign-Urbana
Printer Friendly
ShareThisShare on FacebookRecommend thisPost a commentDecrease Text SizeIncrease Text Size
The City of Champaign and the family of Kiwane Carrington, a 15-year-old boy who was killed last year during an altercation with Champaign police, have reached a potential settlement agreement in the case.
City Attorney Fred Stavins said the agreement is numbered at $470,000, which would go to the family if approved at Tuesday evening’s city council meeting. It is also pending approval and authorization by the city court.
The lawsuit was filed last year with the Champaign Circuit Court by Chicago lawyer James Montgomery Jr. on behalf of Carrington’s sister Kenesha Williams. The suit has cost the city more than $24,924 in legal fees.
City council members were largely absent from settlement discussions that have been ongoing since last November. Council Member Michael LaDue, District 2, said the city council’s absence from the legal discussion was appropriate.
“When this became a matter of litigation, this became something council didn’t discuss,†he said.
LaDue said the shooting was an accident and disputed the idea that racial profiling was involved.
“It was a perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances that came together to produce tragedy,†LaDue said.
Carrington was killed last October in a shooting involving Police Officer Daniel Norbits and Police Chief RT Finney. Carrington and his friend Jeshaun Manning Carter were in the backyard of a residence at 906 W. Vine St. when Finney and Norbits responded to a burglary call at that address. According to reports, a physical struggle between Carrington and Norbits ensued, which led to the officer discharging his firearm.
The office of State’s Attorney Julia Rietz ruled that the fatal shooting was an accident, but Norbits was given a 30-day suspension earlier this year by City Manager Steve Carter for failing to follow police protocol and maintain control of his weapon. The suspension was the maximum penalty the city could give Norbits, who is on paid administrative leave.
The lawsuit filed by Montgomery in part accuses Norbits of being negligent.Stavins said he anticipates some kind of closure will come with the end of the settlement.
“Nothing is going to bring this young man back, but this is society’s way of dealing with these matters,†he said.
Stavins also said he does not know that any amount of money could be considered closure for a loss in a family.
“The family will continue to feel a loss their entire life; the community, we hope, can come together and move forward from this,†he said.
---------
Urbana City Council delays ordinance on controversial historical landmark
Posted: September 20th, 2010 - 10:48 PM
Updated: September 20th, 2010 - 10:48 PM
Tagged with: Africa, Appeals, Baptist Church, Board of Appeals, Brian Dolinar, Charlie Smyth, David Seyler, Dennis Roberts, Malawi, Robert Myers, Urbana, Urbana Planning, Champaign-Urbana
Printer Friendly
ShareThisShare on FacebookRecommend thisPost a commentDecrease Text SizeIncrease Text Size
By Taylor Goldenstein, Contributing Writer
The Urbana City Council approved five ordinances and chose to postpone one ordinance until next week at its weekly Monday meeting. The postponed ordinance involves a historical landmark that sits on the property of Canaan Baptist Church, 404 W. Main St., in Urbana.
Canaan Baptist Church is interested in building a parking lot in the area where the house now stands. The proposal has faced resistance from local residents as well as local history preservationists, such as Brian Dolinar, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association in Urbana.
“In this particular case, we have time for careful, deliberate investigation of the issue,†said Urbana Planning Manager Robert Myers. “I don’t think that the structure is under imminent demolition threat so we have ... time to look at it carefully.â€
While several residents offered their opinions in front of the council, further discussion will wait. Ward 1 Council Member Charlie Smyth plans to send the ordinance to committee for the Sept. 27 meeting.
Other ordinances passed included a couple regarding the purchases of certain real estates: 1205 W. Beslin St. and 909 Harvey St.
It is the staff’s intent to make the space on West Beslin Street available for housing after clearing out the area. It would sell for $3,590, plus a tax of $2,800. The Harvey Street property is a vacant lot that is immediately available.
Another ordinance regarding the amendment of a zoning map to the city passed, with support from the city staff, who voted 6-0 to recommend the ordinance for the council’s approval.
Two other ordinances were also passed that entailed major variances of two different properties. Of the 902 E. Illinois St. area, Ward 5 Council Member Dennis Roberts said it was a pleasure to see those houses that were abandoned finally purchased and renovated.
In the last order of new business, David Seyler, Urbana resident of 50 years and building contractor, was appointed to serve for both the Historic Preservation Committee and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals until 2011 and 2013 respectively.
In addition, time was made for Roberts to speak about the trip he made at the end of this August with a group to Malawi, the sister city of Urbana in Africa.
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"Daily Illini Articles on African-American Experience in Champaign-Urbana (September 2010)," in eBlack Champaign-Urbana, Item #689, https://eblackcu.net/portal/items/show/689 (accessed July 3, 2024).
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