The University of Illinois campus has begun construction work on 32 buildings which will continue throughout the summer. Forty-three separate projects will be underway by the end of this semester with the highest concentration of work in buildings on and around the main Quad; the remainder, including several Housing Division projects, will be completed in buildings scattered across campus.
Nearly half of the 43 projects are designed to increase energy efficiency and lower energy costs. The type of work being done includes:
- lighting retrofits
- roof replacements
- electrical service upgrade and replacements
- window replacements
- heating and air conditioning remediation and replacements
- Interior remodels
- Restroom renovations
- general exterior envelope repairs
See the map (pdf) for a list of buildings and type of work being done at each.
Two major new construction projects are:
- M.T. Geoffrey Yeh Student Center addition to the Newmark Civil Engineering Building (College of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
- Huff Hall North addition, which will house the new Center on Health, Aging, and Disability (College of Applied Health Sciences)
Both projects are being financed by the colleges, including some private donations.
The Housing Division has a number of projects occurring this summer as well. During spring break, work began on the next phase of Ikenberry Commons – Residence Hall West construction and Garner Hall demolition – and a limited remodel of the Gregory and Peabody Drive Residence Halls. Buildings included in the limited remodel include Snyder, Scott, Weston, Forbes, and Hopkins. The amount of construction traffic around the complex will be increased.
Most of the construction activity will be based on and around the Quad. Work has begun on Lincoln Hall with heavy equipment already in place in the staging area to the south of the building. Interior demolition work will begin in the basement.
Other buildings on the Quad undergoing major exterior work include the Natural History Building (NHB), the English Building, and Gregory Hall, all three of which are having windows replaced. NHB, Chem Annex, and Foellinger Auditorium are getting roof replacements. In addition to roof and windows, NHB’s exterior envelope is being cleaned and tuck pointed. The heating and air conditioning system and electrical service at Gregory Hall will be replaced and repaired as well.
Many of the projects fall under the Deferred Maintenance program which is funded through Certificates of Participation (COPs), Academic Facility Maintenance Fee Assessment (AFMFA), and University Reserves (UA). Funding for the deferred maintenance projects is based on a variety of criteria and priorities.
The projects being executed this summer were on Deferred Maintenance (DM) 2007, 2008, and 2009 selection lists. To view the 2010 selection list, details of all the deferred maintenance projects, or more information regarding the program, visit the DM website.
In addition to building repair and renovation, Maryland Avenue and three parking lots will be resurfaced. Work is scheduled to begin in early May on parking lots D-15, at the corner of Oregon Street and Goodwin Avenue, and F-15, between Florida and Pennsylvania Avenues on Maryland Drive. The E-14 shuttle lot at the corner of Oak Street and Kirby Avenue is scheduled for work to begin in June.
Construction activity will increase, especially around the Quad, as the University continues to address infrastructure issues that will help preserve University assets and improve the comfort and safety of students, faculty, and staff. The construction staging areas, the workers and equipment, and the Campus Work Zone signs at some project sites represent steps being taken towards a safer, more comfortable, and more energy efficient campus.