Renovation incentive program set to fade

by Yvonne Zusel
Champaign city reporter

The sun has likely set on an ordinance that gave automatic Class A liquor licenses to businesses that spent more than $200,000 renovating old buildings.

The "sunset clause," introduced earlier by Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart, was approved unanimously at the Wednesday meeting of the Champaign Liquor Advisory Commission.

The incentive program was initially introduced to promote growth - specifically in the downtown area - although licenses were given to any developer that spent the required amount of money renovating old buildings, no matter where they were located.

Schweighart decided to introduce the sunset clause when he thought that the incentive program was making already existing businesses face even more competition.

Business owners can apply under the incentive program until the end of June.

"The commission felt that as long as people applied before June 30 and had staff approval, it was alright," said David Purgett, a member of the LAC.

Purgett is supportive of the clause.

"I felt that the original ordinance had done what they wanted to do with it," Purgett said. "Before we let five or 10 or 20 more places open, let's see what we've got."

LAC member Jack Troxell agreed.

"It appears to me they've accomplished what they wanted to do," he said.

The vote taken at the LAC meeting is not official. The clause will come into effect only if the Champaign City Council approves it, using the direction given to them by the LAC.