Fernie's High Horse developer says downtown Urbana project is 'almost there' as council members forward second extension
The resolution would push the completion date to Dec. 31; the developer told the committee shows are booked for early December.
URBANA - Urbana City Council members on Monday, Oct. 5, sent a two-month extension for the Fernie's High Horse redevelopment project to the council's consent agenda, after the developer told the Committee of the Whole the downtown project is "almost there," according to the meeting's video and transcript.
The resolution would move the project's completion date, defined as the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, from Oct. 31 to Dec. 31, 2026, for Race Street Ventures LLC's renovation of 118 and 120 S. Race St., according to the city's agenda packet. It is the second extension: the council approved the redevelopment agreement on Feb. 24, 2025, and on Feb. 3, 2026, pushed the original March 31 deadline to Oct. 31.
Patrick Singer, who signed the extension request as the company's managing partner, told council members the redevelopment cost is "approximately $2,000,000" and does not include buying the buildings. He said the second floor, which holds rentals, is "pretty much done" and the project is in its final stages of finishes. He said shows are booked for Dec. 4 and Dec. 6.
Asked whether a documented schedule supports the Dec. 31 date, Singer said "a lot of this is a big moving target" and offered to provide a schedule for the next eight weeks. Asked about financing, he said it is "not a concern," citing the city's redevelopment agreement and State of Illinois tourism grants.
One council member urged the developer to give a date the developer really expected to meet rather than return for another extension. Singer said he was "okay with sticking with December 31" and added, "I hope I don't eat my words."
Council member Quisenberry moved to forward the resolution, and council member Evans seconded it, according to the recording. The committee forwarded it on a voice vote; the recording does not give a tally, and minutes have not been posted.
The discussion starts at 54:44 in the city's video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXSVlw65ytQ&t=3284s); the transcript of that part of the meeting is on Citizen Portal (https://citizenportal.ai/source/10561612?ts=3172&te=3604). The building at 120 S. Race St. was formerly The Iron Post Tavern, according to the packet.
Source: City of Urbana Committee of the Whole video (UPTV), Oct. 5, 2026, transcript via Citizen Portal (https://citizenportal.ai/source/10561612?tab=transcript); Committee of the Whole agenda packet, Oct. 5, 2026, Resolution No. 2026-10-054R.