Central High School a Live/Work Community

As an architect, I have been looking at alternative uses for Central that would maintain the building and enrich the community.

Simultaneously, Kerris has been looking into an entrepreneurial experience for our current students , graduates, and school district.

Putting our heads together, Kerris and I began to form an idea.

Here is a possibility of what could happen when we have a need to reuse this building.

Background

Move Mellon & Administrative Functions to Central Building Create Entrepreneurial hub

Similar to UofI Research Park’s technical entrepreneurial program, but geared to service and trades.

Provide continuing education for small businesses

Create two floors of apartments Create 1+ floor of entrepreneurial office space

Art gallery Large rentable flex space

Maintain shops for rental shops Maintain kitchens as rental kitchens Maintain gym for community functions

Imagine

Unit 4 to maintain an educational component

Provide continuing education to companies

SBA SCORE

Workshops/Speakers

Areas for rent

Workshop

Kitchen

Flex space

Gym

Amenities

Case Studies

257 Lafayette Center, New York, NY

Bell School Arts Project, New Orleans, LA

El Barrio Artspace - P.S. 109 PROJECT, East Harlem, NY

Marshal Apartments & Performing Arts Center, Janesville, WI

Bancroft School Apartment Community, Kansas City, MO

Historic Union School Apartments, West Dundee, IL

Old Moline High School Live Work & Loft Apartments, Moline, IL

To be developed and managed by third party

Cost neutral to Unit 4

No costs beyond maintenance and utility costs

(not to exceed current costs)

No referendum implications

Retain ownership vs selling property - TBD

Current cost models show could be profitable

Have discussed with local developers

Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program

Economics

Lower Level

OFFICE

SUITES

RENTAL

KITCHENS

Main Level

Second Floor

ARTISTS

LOFTS

LOFTS

MELLON /

ADMINISTRATION

RESIDENTAL

SUPORT

Third Floor

LOFTS

Better use of site, Close to downtown Continuous education Allows both students and graduates a local opportunity to build a business Keeps small start-up businesses in Champaign Strengthens Unit 4’s ties with the business community

Change nature of the neighborhood? Maintains history of a evolving, changing building Potential synergies with city of Champaign Will not be able to secure developer until closer to possession of building Would have to utilize a developer – keep Unit 4 out of the rental business Would this work for Edison too?

Proximity to campus vs proximity to downtown

Thoughts & Considerations