As you walk around campus, you may notice a few construction projects in the works. From closed sidewalks, scaffolding up the sides of buildings and empty plots of land, it’s clear the University has a lot going on. So, what’s on its way? And when can you expect it to be done?
One of the most obvious construction projects on campus right now is the Undergraduate Library. Construction began in May 2022 to transform UGL into an Archives and Special Collections building.
“The project that we’re talking about, there’s two goals,” said University Librarian Claire Stewart, the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Dean of Libraries. “(To) create a dedicated new home for our archives and special collections, and also improve and expand the student spaces in the Main Library.”
The dissolution of UGL meant there was no longer a dedicated space for undergraduate students. The first goal of construction was to create upgraded spaces in the Main Library and other libraries for students to use.
The second goal was to improve the existing structure of UGL, better equipping it to protect delicate archival materials and making it a better building in general.
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“More efficient, better for the environment, better for ADA,” Stewart said of the proposed renovations.
It may be a while before the Archives and Special Collections building is fully finished. According to Stewart, students can expect to visit the building starting Fall 2027, with some functionality beginning that spring. In the meantime, students can enjoy the completed first phase of expanded spaces in other libraries.
Another obvious construction project is the renovation of Altgeld Hall and the demolition and reconstruction of neighboring Illini Hall. The project is currently in phase two of four, according to Senior Project Manager Joe Villanti.
The first phase was to tear down Illini Hall, the second to complete exterior renovations to Altgeld Hall, the third to rebuild Illini Hall and the fourth to renovate Altgeld’s interior.
According to Villanti, crews and management work well at integrating construction into the campus environment, keeping disruptions to classes and building operations to a minimum.
“The people we work with here on campus, from the designers to the contractors, are all well-versed in phasing projects this way and working with buildings that are open 24/7,” Villanti said.
Just next to Altgeld Hall, the Illini Union is currently under construction, although it’s fully operational. The clearest sign of its renovation is the scaffolding encompassing the building, which is helping crews replace the Union’s roof.
The next phase of the roof project, which is set to begin in July 2025, will see the opening of some previously closed sections — including offices and meeting spaces — and the closing of “all south side fourth floor hotel rooms,” according to the Union’s website.
The entire roofing project should be completed by late 2026. Other updates to the building include changes in some vendors, a “refresh” of the food court area and upgrades to fourth-floor meeting rooms.
Campus projects not specifically related to the University include several apartment complexes and various road repairs, of which timelines remain less clear than the University’s projects.
While it’s important to look out for upcoming construction projects, it’s also critical to literally look out for work sites.
“Pay attention when you walk around campus,” Villanti said. “Be aware of construction, trucks and fencing, don’t cross areas that you shouldn’t … stay alert and off your phones.”
