By WMBD TV
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — The town of Normal is proposing a new development plan for the Uptown Normal Trail east and west, aiming to bring more housing and economic opportunity.
Two six-story buildings are proposed for the areas east and west of the Constitution Trail that runs down the middle of uptown and across College Avenue.
“This proposed development provides high-density housing adjacent to local businesses, the Constitution Trail, and Uptown Station, and will add new energy and vibrancy to Uptown Normal,” said Pamela Reece, city manager.
The building will also provide retail spaces on the first floor, which will bring more opportunities for economic growth.
COO of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Cravens, said that this proposal will add one more piece to the puzzle for solving the housing crisis in the Twin Cities.
“Our community right now has a housing shortage. We need more housing developments like this, and it’ll really increase the density of Uptown,” said Cravens. “The more people living there, the more foot traffic you have, the better it is for the businesses.”
“The missing middle is what we have when it comes to housing. We need multifamily, we need apartments, we need units that are attractive to students and young professionals. Something that’s different from your typical single-family homes. And this fills a key gap in that regard.”
The project is a part of the town’s Comprehensive Plan and the Uptown Redevelopment Plan, which aim to make better use of the urban land in the town. They plan to begin construction on the project in spring 2027, after some final approvals and utility relocations are completed.
More information on the project can be found on the town of Normal’s website.
