Apartment complex considered for downtown Champaign

Photo by: John Dixon/The News-Gazette

The old CR Marble building at 502 N. Neil (northeast corner of Neil and Washington), right, and 508 N. Neil St. (Evolve Fitness Center). These two buildings might eventually be torn down to make way for a new five- or six-story apartment building being planned by One Main Development.

CHAMPAIGN One Main Development is considering building a five- or six-story apartment complex on the northeast corner of Neil and Washington streets, company President Dave Jones said Thursday.

The company, which previously developed the One Main Plaza and M2 on Neil buildings in downtown Champaign, is still studying the feasibility of the project. But Jones said the intent is to develop 35 to 40 units on the upper floors and "likely retail" on the ground floor.

As envisioned, the project would be built on the sites of the long-vacant C R Marble building at 502 N. Neil St. and the Evolve Fitness Center building at 508 N. Neil St.

However, Jones said he would not expect construction to begin until late 2015 at the earliest, with the hope that units could be occupied in August 2016.

Jones said he is working on a plan for demolition of the 502 N. Neil St. building in the spring of 2015. That two-story building, once used for manufacturing, had deteriorated considerably before One Main Development acquired it, he said.

The Evolve building is expected to be around a while longer. Although Saturday is the last day for the fitness club, personal trainer Matt Rossbach has leased the space, effective Jan. 1, for his business, MLAB Fitness, which will provide personal training as well as group fitness classes.

Rossbach said he plans to use the 508 N. Neil St. space "as long as the building is standing, which I believe is going to be most of the year." He said he considers it a temporary location until he can find long-term space.

Jones said One Main Development is committed to downtown Champaign.

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Apartment complex considered for downtown Champaign