Champaign street closed by fire could reopen soon

URBANA - A busy intersection in downtown Champaign that's been partially closed since a massive building fire in early November could soon reopen.

A judge on Friday gave insurers two days next week to investigate the remnants of two commercial buildings damaged by the Nov. 7 fire.

Richard Joy, part-owner of one building, says demolition could begin Jan. 26.

The building's insurers had advised the owners not to tear down the buildings because they needed time to investigate. Champaign fire investigators could not determine the blaze's cause.

But owners of the dozen or more businesses affected by the closure of a one-way street complained customers had a tough time getting to them. The city of Champaign finally sued to force action on the buildings.