University News

Contractor: WIU-QC Riverfront Phase II

January 14, 2013

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MOLINE, IL -- A local contractor was recently awarded the bid by the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) to begin construction on Phase II of the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Riverfront campus.

Bush Affiliates, LLC of Davenport (IA) has been named the general contractor. Bush's $29.5 million single prime bid for construction of a 94,800 square foot classroom complex is funded by the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. According to Bill Brewer, assistant director of physical plant, WIU-QC operations and maintenance, construction will begin upon completion of contracts, with an anticipated completion of Summer/Fall 2014.

"We are pleased that a contract has been awarded for the construction of Phase II of our Quad Cities Riverfront Campus. We look forward to watching the progress and celebrating a grand opening in Summer 2014," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "We greatly appreciate the continued support of our community partners to move the Riverfront Campus forward."

According to Joe Rives, vice president for Quad Cities and planning, the Riverfront Campus expansion allows WIU-QC to further its mission as a comprehensive public university for the region by serving more than 3,000 Quad Cities-area students. The $42 million Phase II project allows for the continued growth of the Quad Cities campus and will house academic programs in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Services and Fine Arts and Communication. Phase I (Building One) on the Riverfront campus, which opened in January 2012, supports the College of Business and Technology, including the School of Engineering; academic and student services; and University administration.

The City of Moline is also revitalizing the area surrounding the WIU-QC Riverfront Campus into community and University-friendly development. The Quad Cities campus currently serves more than 1,300 students at its 60th Street campus in Moline and at the Riverfront Campus.

"We are truly excited about bringing all of our programs and services to one central area, and we are equally enthused to be a part of ReNew Moline's development of the riverfront area. To keep the momentum going, we will begin working this month with campus and community leaders on programming for Phase III," said Rives.

In 2003, a donation from Deere & Company of 20 acres of land on the Moline riverfront provided the impetus for an expanded WIU-QC campus. Planning began to build an additional campus on the riverfront to serve more students, and collaborative relationships were formed with the city of Moline, ReNew Moline and the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce, among many others, to develop the riverfront into an educational and business mecca.

"This project benefits the Quad Cities and the entire state by creating good jobs and strengthening Illinois' world-class system of higher education," said Jim Underwood, executive director of the Capital Development Board. "Gov. Quinn and his entire administration are happy we could help make it happen."

According to Brewer, Western will again pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification.

"Much like the first building on the Riverfront campus, Phase II facilities will be sustainably constructed and operated. Green amenities will include geothermal heating and cooling, emphasis on use of daylight, native landscaping, green roof treatments, and an emphasis on energy efficiency. I look forward to working with Bush and Company in the coming months," Brewer added.

To view architect's renderings of the proposed WIU-QC Riverfront Campus renovation, visit www.wiu.edu/qc/riverfront_campus/ and www.wiu.edu/university_planning/masterplan.php.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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