Marie Lynn Miranda UIC Chancellor | University Of Illinois At Chicago
The renovation of Taft Hall, a comprehensive project covering all 27,000 square feet of the building, is set to begin on May 12. The work will result in new learning spaces, an elevator addition, and updated mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, AV and networking infrastructure. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will also be installed to reduce electricity consumption. The university anticipates achieving LEED Gold certification for the project.
Contractors will start mobilizing at the site on May 12 to prepare for renovations. Initial tasks include removing furniture and other items for salvage, installing a construction fence, conducting tree care and pruning around the building, and bringing in storage containers and dumpsters.
Demolition work is scheduled to commence during the week of May 19. Crews will remove exterior concrete facade panels and perform bulk demolition of the entire interior. This phase is expected to continue through mid-July.
That same week marks the beginning of exterior site work involving concrete removal and site excavation for new utility services.
The construction process is planned to last 14 months with significant activity anticipated throughout this period. Construction vehicles will access the site via Halsted and Morgan streets. To minimize disruption during class change periods, vehicular movement will be coordinated with flaggers present at all times. Pedestrian traffic will be rerouted as necessary for safety.
The project aims for completion by July 2026 with plans for Taft Hall to reopen in time for the fall semester that year.
"Thank you for your patience and cooperation during the construction period."