IMC - Urbana Post Office Update
June 21, 2005
Urbana - Work continues on the transition at Urbana's downtown post office, purchased by the Independent Media Center in early May.
Danielle Chynoweth, chief negotiator for the purchase by the IMC, has provided the following update for the project. To see pictures (by photographer Nick Mann) of the ongoing project, visit this page: www.pbase.com/urbana_photographer/imc_paint.
Lower Level:
The Independent Media Center has now moved into the lower level. A new radio station (www.wrfu.org) is currently being built, and the IMC is setting up community video and audio production studios. Ever wanted to have a radio show? WRFU is taking applications.
The rest of the lower level is being transformed into artists' studios. The IMC is establishing an artists' collective where artists can rent for as low as $100 per month and have access to shared tools and teaching space.
Thousands of donated books for the Books to Prisons project are being sorted. Books to Prisons sends prisoners requested titles and is working on establishing a 1000 volume library at the local county jail.
First Floor:
This summer the Post Office will be divided in such a way that the remaining part of the first floor can be used as a large performance space, library, and additional studios. Ideas are also being considered for a coffeeshop or bookstore that would complement the performance space.
Second Floor:
The second floor is now almost completely rented out to office tenants. There are a few more spaces (2 small, affordable rooms) still available.
The Roof:
Chynoweth remarked that when the IMC bought the building, the inspector said "this building is in great shape, it just needs a new roof on part of the building." The IMC plans to redo the roof later this summer.
Energy Audit:
Before the sale, negotiators for the IMC purchase knew that the utilities would likely be high. They performed an energy audit on the space within a month after the sale, with the goal of ultimately reducing energy consumption and cutting $1000 a month off the bills.
Historic Preservation:
Chynoweth also reported that a recent appraisal of the building held that the most profitable use of the downtown Urbana post office was to tear it down for parking. The IMC is filing the necessary paperwork for landmark status on the building so that it is never demolished. This was part of the terms of the sale.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:
The IMC needs help with painting, cleaning, carpentry, etc--contact them if you can lend a hand. The IMC Space Group meets every Wednesday at 8 PM - use the Elm Street entrance. They will be hosting a visioning session with the community this Fall.
If you would like to send a tax deductible donation to the IMC, mail a check to:
UC-IMC
P.O. Box 953
Urbana, IL 61803