Central North Fields Project
History
The Central High School North Fields project includes new fields for soccer/band and softball. See the presentation video for details.
FAQs (updated May 2021)
Q: How will the neighborhood be affected by increased traffic and parking at the new fields?
A: Over 200 spaces, an increase over the existing number of off-street parking spaces, will be provided across Church St. and shared with the high school. Since events at the fields will take place outside of school hours, visitors to the fields can utilize the same parking as the school.
CROSSWALK: Traffic easing curb bump-outs and a push-button crossing signal light were recently added to this intersection as part of this project. They were designed in cooperation with the City of Champaign to provide a safer crossing for students. We will also discuss with the City the possibility of moving the school zone signs further east to alert drivers to the possibility of pedestrians.
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY: The pedestrian walkway north to south from Church St. to Hill St. will be open 24/7 and have no gates. The sidewalk will be approximately eight feet wide and well lit.
Q: Will there be designated hours for community use?
A: The District understands the community’s desire to use the fields and will review community use policies and procedures.
Q: What is being done to manage stormwater and runoff?
A: The new green spaces and natural grass playing surface on the fields allow more rainwater to be naturally absorbed onsite as compared to when much of the site was paved. As a result, this project reduces the stormwater burden to existing City infrastructure. The stormwater will be collected onsite and connected to the existing City storm structures currently utilized. Onsite stormwater detention is not required. The underground drainage system will meet the City stormwater requirements.
Q: What is being done to control light pollution and spill?
A: Light pollution will be minimized by using “night-friendly” light fixtures for all architectural lighting – meaning no architectural light fixture will have an up-light component. For athletic field lighting, thorough photometric analysis will be performed to precisely locate field lighting poles in an effort to adequately illuminate the athletic fields while also minimizing light trespass to adjacent properties. Additionally, the LED athletic field lighting fixtures are equipped with internal optics and external visors to further curtail the lighting distribution from each fixture. The final photometric plan will be reviewed with the City of Champaign.
Q: What will happen to the trees in this area?
A: The design team and the District are working to save as many of the large trees as possible, with particular attention being given to the old ginkgo tree on the NW corner of Church and Lynn. The large tree on the Southwest corner of Church and Lynn was preserved and protected in the last phase when the new parking lot was built. Tree preservation can be tricky and without guaranteed results, but the design and construction teams are fully invested in saving mature healthy trees where possible. New trees will be planted strategically to screen the dugouts and bleachers and reduce their visual impact from the street. Landscaping plans were part of the Planned Development with the City, which will also review the site’s tree preservation plan.
Q: What type of fence will be installed?
A: Softball and baseball fields at this level of play almost always have chain-link as the fences need to stop balls and resist collisions from fielders without damage or injury. There is no fence surrounding the property, just the fields themselves.
-- Soccer/marching band will have a black, ornamental fence.
-- Softball with have black, vinyl coated, chain link.
The west property line will have a wood privacy barrier on the property line.
Most of the fencing is setback from the right-of-way.
Q: Will existing brick pavers be salvaged?
A: Existing bricks will be salvaged and the project team will work to incorporate some of them into the design. Others will be made available to the public via a Request for Proposal to purchase and salvage. Any remainder will be offered to the public for free on a first come, first served basis. The project team has already incorporated some pavers from Park Ave. into the construction of the parking lot and the District and has given away many more.
Q: Will this area be monitored?
A: Security cameras will monitor the site.
Q: What is the construction schedule?
A: The construction schedule is still in development, but work is expected to begin in spring 2022 and be ready for competition/use in spring 2023.
Notes:
School bells & announcements will be heard at the site over the intercom system because the fields are a physical education classroom space. These will be turned off during winter and summer breaks, when the fields are not in use for classroom spaces.