New Home For The Champaign-Urbana Water Tower

Champaign-Urbana, IL, Nov. 13, 2023 -- With a goal of creating “Market Street Corridor,” a new center for business in North Champaign, David Fletcher, M.D., Medical Director, and CEO of SafeWorks Illinois, sold a parcel of land to Illinois American Water for the future home of the water tower serving the city. The purchased land is on Petry Court, adjacent to the 217 Medical Campus, which houses myriad medical services including 217 Immediate Care, ATI Physical Therapy, Champaign Medical Massage, Central Illinois Orthopedic Surgery, Illinois Spine and Pain Center, and SafeWorksIllinois, a company that provides comprehensive occupational health services and return-to-work programs.

Right now, the water tower is located at Neil and Market streets and Illinois American Water was searching for a new location near the existing infrastructure so the tank could be replaced within the next five years.

“I am delighted that American Water wanted to build on the land because I’m a Champaign business owner and take pride in helping the community. Water is an important resource for residents, and the water tower is an important icon for our community. It will serve as a landmark as I expand the footprint of my medical campus and for other business development along Market Street.”

One of those developments is the proposed Stay APT Suites Hotel, with plans for it to be built adjacent to SafeWorks and the new water tower. According to city officials, the building permit for the three-story, all-suites hotel was approved but hasn’t yet been issued as StayAPT Suites has been waiting for building costs to come down.

Representatives of American Water say the present water tower is intact, but the tank will need to be replaced to support water service reliability and meet the demands of the growing community.

“The replacement of the water tank is part of our commitment to provide water solutions by upgrading and replacing aging water infrastructure in the Champagne-Urbana area,” says Anna Kubas, Illinois American Water spokesperson. “We take a proactive approach in addressing water service quality and reliability, which is why we have invested over $160 million in Champaign’s distribution system over the past 10 years. We purchased the new parcel in preparation for replacing the water tower within the next five years.”

ABOUT SAFEWORKS ILLINOIS

SafeWorks Illinois offers comprehensive occupational health services and return-to-work programs to create safe, drug-free businesses and industries. The company’s goal is to promote safety and wellness in the workplace. It achieves results by developing prevention programs and providing injury treatment and rehabilitation services to help employees recover and return to work.

Owner-operator Dr. David Fletcher practiced in Champaign for 22 years. In addition to being the Medical Director and CEO of SafeWorks Illinois, Dr. Fletcher is board-certified in occupational and preventive medicine, a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO), a certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), and a Senior Federal Aviation Administration Examiner. He Is nationally known for his service as a medical expert witness for both petitioners/plaintiffs as well as respondents/defendants. His specialty lies in complex trucking and bus accident litigation.