Orchard Downs Redevelopment - About - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Project Overview

The University's goal for the Project Area is to establish a vibrant, multipurpose residential development.

The Project Area includes land in Urbana, Illinois, located within the campus perimeter and is readily accessible from the north, east and south.

Approximately one hundred twenty acres (120) of the one hundred sixty (160) acre site includes the Orchard Downs Graduate Student and Family Housing Complex. The facilities at Orchard Downs have reached the end of their useful life and are suffering from severe deferred maintenance issues. Orchard South, in particular, is in the worst condition and should be demolished in the near future.

The redevelopment of the Project Area presents a unique opportunity to consider a high-end, multipurpose residential development that could include single-family homes, condominiums and active retiree housing with continuing learning opportunities. Housing will be of the highest construction standard and exemplify an excellence in architecture that complements the surrounding neighborhood and community. The development should make every effort to include connectivity to existing multipurpose trails, preservation of the largest and oldest trees on site, and ample green space. A small neighborhood retail and commercial component is desirable.

The Project Area will become the home of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The OLLI at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is one of several in the alliance of Osher Institutes charged with leading the way in providing stimulating, affordable and health-promoting learning opportunities for the rapidly-increasing population of persons 50 and older. The OLLI at UIUC will provide both the Osher Foundation and UIUC the opportunity to leverage and optimize their resources to accomplish their mutually compatible missions and their goals of lifetime enrichment through education and service to society.

The first phase of the Orchard Downs Redevelopment identified qualified candidate developers interested in becoming the Master Developer for the Project Area. This phase was completed in September 2006. The second phase begins in October 2006 with public input to the selected candidate developers as they initiate their master development plans due in early 2007. At the conclusion of the second phase, in mid 2007, the Chancellor will recommend a Master Developer to the President and Board of Trustees, sometime in 2007.

Guiding Principles

UIUC, in its strategic plan, utilized these principles as drivers to establish a vision for the redevelopment of Orchard Downs.

Changing student expectations of housing and a changing housing market for graduate students and families, along with a physical facility that is outdated and inadequate to meet students' needs.
Orchard Downs generates no tax revenue for the
City of Urbana.
Highest and best use for this land with proximity to campus, established neighborhoods, and nearby University facilities.
An opportunity to showcase natural and inherent strengths in design, environment, housing quality, and community development.
Fulfilling the capacity inherent in a great University that serves as a magnet for intellectual growth and community development that embraces alumni and Illinois supporters who want to live near, benefit from, and support an important institution.

Project Area

Click here to display a map of the Project Area.