New businesses moving forward in Urbana | Arts & Entertainment

URBANA — Two new businesses and one expansion are on their way to becoming a reality.

Urbana City Council voted Feb. 24 to approve incentive agreements for Fernie’s High Horse, a new entertainment venue and restaurant space at 118 and 120 S. Race Street, and Parcadia, CU Adventures in Time & Space’s fantasy mini-golf bar expansion.

The council also approved a special-use permit for a drive-thru at a proposed Dutch Bros Coffee location at 809 W. Green St.

“This may be a historic moment; at this point, we have seven new or expanded businesses in the city of Urbana and several more in the pipeline in the last two months,” said Mayor Diane Marlin.

“So thank you for your support of these.”

Other recent or pending developments include H Mart, Elm City Coffee, Good Judy’s, Hotel Royer, the reopening of Black Dog Urbana and The Yard on Broadway, Marlin said.

The latter is a new multi-restaurant space.

Per the approved agreement, Race Street Ventures, LLC, the developer of Fernie’s High Horse, will receive up to $258,000 in tax-increment funds, contingent on meeting certain performance goals.

In a proposal dated July 1, 2024, the LLC estimated that the business could open in fall 2025.

“Fernie’s will feature an overall capacity of 250 divided into a live performance space (which can be reconfigured as a single-screen cinema with seating (for) up to 100 patrons), a coffeehouse, café, a full-service bar, and a patio complete with a stationary food trailer and space for additional food trucks,” wrote City Administrator Carol Mitten in a report to the council.

The second floor of the property will feature four two-bedroom apartments, including one to serve as a green room for performers.

As for Parcadia, CU Adventures in Time & Space co-owner Anne Lukeman has described the project as a 16,000-square-foot “immersive fantasy-themed mini-golf bar” with two mini-golf courses, private rooms for special events, and “a medieval-inspired tavern straight out of Dungeons & Dragons.”

Under the agreement, the city will provide up to $210,000 in tax-increment funds to MCDJ LLC, which owns the subject property at 302 N. Broadway Ave. and leases space to CU Adventures in Time & Space, Mitten said.

The planned expansion will take place in an adjacent vacant space.

As with Fernie’s High Horse, the total amount of incentives the project receives will be contingent on certain performance-based requirements.

Finally, the Dutch Bros coffee shop on the edge of campus will offer walk-up and drive-thru service, according to Urbana Principal City Planner Kevin Garcia.

According to the company’s LinkedIn profile, the chain has over 900 locations across 18 states.

The Plan Commission previously recommended that council deny the developer’s request for a special-use permit, citing concerns about potential traffic issues both within the site and along Green Street as vehicles entered and exited.

City Council, however, stated in their resolution of approval that the site plan has been intentionally designed to prevent traffic mishaps.

The permit includes a number of conditions for applicant Rockford Structures, including an addition by council: the developer must work with city planning and engineering staff to “to implement measures at the driveway that are designed to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Furthermore, the development must include outdoor seating areas and restroom access for customers.