Businesses face tough times with street closure

CHAMPAIGN – If the city doesn't start getting aggressive and take steps to reopen Neil Street, a number of downtown businesses could wind up closing their doors.

That was the blunt message that some downtown business owners and employees delivered Tuesday night to the city council. The comments came after council members were briefed by city staff about the halting progress toward demolition of 215 N. Neil St., a downtown building that was structurally damaged during a Nov. 7 downtown fire that destroyed the adjacent Metropolitan Building.

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