Significant construction work is currently underway at two of NEIU’s Parking Facilities, as part of the ongoing efforts by the Capital Development Board (CDB) to address postponed maintenance at NEIU’s main campus. The CDB has initiated a project to demolish and rebuild parts of the structure, resulting in restricted access and limited parking availability for students, staff and faculty.
The scope of work primarily focuses on the sloped ramp connecting levels two and three of the Parking Facility’s garage. However, after speaking with the general contractor in charge, he brought to the attention of the Independent that the major construction of Parking Lot A is currently being worked on to the extent of complete disuse from traffic. After investigating the scene, a great deal of corrugated pipes, mounds of gravel, deep holes, manhole risers, a tipper truck and an excavator were in heavy use on June 28 in Lot A. Since mid-May of this year, Parking Lot A on W. Bryn Mawr Ave. in front of Lech Walesa Hall and College of Business and Technology has been closed for reconstruction.
David Rubin, from Finance & Administration, issued four separate statements about upcoming construction throughout the month of April. A statement on April 7 announced closures to parking levels three, four and five in the structure. A statement on April 10 announced upcoming construction on Building C sidewalks. A statement on April 17 announced the upcoming construction on Parking Lot A. A statement on April 18 announced upcoming construction on the parking structure’s level two to three ramp.
According to Rubin’s statement, in order to strengthen the structural integrity of the concrete deck in the Parking Facility’s garage, contractors have been appointed to carry out caulking and sealing. Nevertheless, the ongoing repairs mean that levels four and five of the Parking Facility will be publicly inaccessible.
According to Rubin’s April 7th statement, “the north half of the Parking Facility from level 1-2 will remain open to the public to park their vehicles.” Rubin reiterated the identical statement on April 18th’s statement. However, as of June 28th, only the first level of the garage was available for cars to drive through and park. The first to second-floor ramp was barricaded.
Rubin delved into the specifics of the safety measures that have been implemented to ensure that a safe passage and exit strategy were made available while minimizing disruption from noise and dust. During this time, individuals are asked to express extra caution to evade hazards. Furthermore, on April 7th, Rubin said, “cordoned off pathways and drive lanes will change and be rerouted as the work progresses.” Rubin reiterated the identical statement on April 18th.
The construction work commenced on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, following the barricading of parking spots and the posting of signage on the ramp between levels two and three on the previous day. Parking structure completion was expected prior to June. According to Rubin’s fourth statement, the tentative completion date for the project was Wednesday, May 31, 2023, although this was subject to weather conditions. Construction would take place daily between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Despite the initial project timeline indicating that the closure of the second to third-level ramp in the Parking Facility’s garage was expected to last from April 19, 2023, to May 31, 2023, construction work has extended beyond the anticipated completion date, continuing throughout the month of June.
In recent observations made by the Independent’s reporter, significant progress has been noted. In April, the south half of the second floor of the parking structure was closed off, and construction scaffolding had been set up. On June 13th, 2023, the closure expanded to include the south half of the ramp connecting the first and second levels. As of June 28, 2023, the entire structure above the first level, including the ramp connecting the first and second-level, had been closed off. Consequently, only the first level of the Parking Facility’s garage remains accessible for parking as of this report.
Additionally, all temporary scaffolding equipment was removed prior to Wednesday, June 28th, 2023. On the same day, the parking garage underwent power washing, and the surrounding sidewalks outside the garage were reconstructed by a general contractor.
In a statement, the NEIU administration thanks the members of the university for their cooperation during this necessary campus improvement project.
Any individual who has questions, comments or concerns regarding the campus construction or any other project can contact NEIU Facilities Management by phone at 773-442-5240 or by email at [email protected].
Disclaimer: This article is based on the information provided in four official announcements by David Rubin on April 7th, 10th, 17th and 18th on behalf of Finance & Administration, NEIU. Any updates or changes to the project may not be reflected in these four reports beyond the observations of The Independent’s reporter. June observations of the construction work in the garage were made by the Independent’s reporter.
