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Pastor asks Urbana for $150,000 to expand youth services, small-business space on South Philo Road
Summary
Pastor Angel Johnson asked the Urbana City Council during public input for $150,000 to expand a youth program and support a small catering business, described an existing 500-square-foot space and requested a van and renovation assistance; she also raised concerns about the concentration of liquor stores on South Philo Road.
Pastor Angel Johnson told the Urbana City Council on July 14 that her community organization needs more funding and space to expand services for children and small-business activity on South Philo Road. "We're asking for a 150,000," Johnson said during public input.
Johnson said the city previously provided $5,000 at a 2024 "Beat This Street" event and that her group now needs larger, permanent space and a van to pick up children for programs. "The space that we have is 500 square feet and then the other space is in my home," she said, adding the organization does pop-up events and has tried to buy a building but has been outbid.
City relevance: Johnson urged investment in the South Philo Road corridor, saying vacant storefronts and a high number of liquor outlets make it harder to start a hometown restaurant or child-focused activities. "We don't have no activities like go court," she said, urging the council to help create shared community space and services.
The remarks were made during the meeting's public-input period; no council motions or formal actions followed from this public comment during the session. Council members later said they supported exploring investments in South Philo Road and a consistent process for supporting community organizations, but no funding decision was made at the July 14 meeting.
Details Johnson supplied included the city's prior $5,000 event contribution, her group's current use of a roughly 500-square-foot space plus a home-based space, and a specific request of $150,000 for building purchase/renovation and a vehicle. She said the organization has operated for about 38 years.
Council members offered to discuss next steps but did not commit city funds or adopt a directive at the meeting. The council's brief remarks signaled general support for more coordinated processes to support neighborhood organizations; any formal follow-up or staff direction was not recorded in the July 14 proceedings.
