NORMAL -- The Marriott Hotel and Conference Center won't be the only one benefiting from conferences and hotel guests.

"When you look at the projected occupancy numbers, it could put 80,000 people a year on the streets (of uptown)," said Mayor Chris Koos. "Uptown is a compact area, very walkable. People will want to get out and about for shopping and dining."

By the time the hotel opens, roads -- including West and East Beaufort streets and Constitution Boulevard -- should be open. North Street is finished with landscaping, benches and lighting. Landscaping won't be installed on East Beaufort until spring.

The circle of the roundabout has sod and trees. Uptown Development Director Wayne Aldrich said the water feature will have a wetland bog with plantings and channel that will sound like a babbling brook.

Construction continues on the JSM project across North Street from the convention center. Jill Guth, director of development for the Champaign company, said crews are on or slightly ahead of schedule, working on the fourth floor of the five-story building.

JSM is leasing apartments for its August opening and is "actively working" with three potential retailers, she said. CVS Pharmacy already has committed to a large portion of the first floor and Illinois State University is leasing out the second floor.

One Main Development of Champaign remains stalled by financing for a planned multi-use building on the west side of the roundabout but "we're not giving up," said President Mike Royse.