CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign says a viaduct walkway that was an area for drug use and vagrancy may be getting a permanent fix.

The city council is voting on Tuesday to install new fencing and gates at the Main Street Viaduct downtown.

They had a test run with a temporary fence and said the results have benefited everyone in the area. Now, some city officials want it to stay.

Administrative Service Manager Jeff Hamilton said the temporary fix has done its job.

“It’ll have a lower maintenance cost,” Hamilton said. “It will have gates on both ends. It could be closed off if necessary. Or it will be a walkway during the rest of the year.”
Some people were living in the walkway, using drugs and causing problems for downtown businesses.

Local restaurant owner Armando Sandoval said the fences has been a welcome change. 

“If they wanted to use the bathroom, we let them use the bathroom,” Sandoval said. “But at the same time, you know, a lot of times they would not ask, or they would not go in to use the bathroom, but do other illicit things.” 
Now, businesses near the viaduct are making less calls to police, and Sandoval said his staff and customers feel safer.

“Panhandling was one thing,” Sandoval said. “But, you know, comments or, just, indirect things that they were being told while they were, walking by there… things that were inappropriate, and… so they didn’t feel quite safe.”
Now, city council members will be voting on permanent fencing and gates. Hamilton said it will cost about $60,000, but it will spruce up the area while leaving the walkway’s functionality.
 
“This would allow us to better control that area going forward with some more decorative, nicer looking, fencing that we can close off if becomes necessary,” Hamilton said.
The city was able to help find shelter for some of the people using the viaduct, and Sandoval said it has improved the area for everyone.
“We’re trying to run a business. And we also have employees that we’re responsible [for]. So, at the same time, you know, as much as we want to be help, we want to take care of our customers, and we want to take care of our employees as well,” Sandoval said.

Hamilton said they sent out bids for the new fencing and are pursuing the most cost effective one.