Northeastern Illinois University

The facilities management team at Northeastern Illinois University has been relying on the consultants at EEA to assist with various infrastructure repair and replacement projects on their campus since 1995.

As the university has implemented a campus-wide design theme for all exterior walkways, courtyards and building entrance plazas, EEA has designed and provided construction monitoring services. With the belief that both interior and exterior environments impact a site’s users, the university and EEA undertook these projects help enhance pedestrian access to the facilities, maintain accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and incorporate the very specific design requirements of the university.

Parking Deck

One specific project required unique attention—a 5-level, 1,000-stall parking deck constructed on a site that previously served as a surface parking lot. The ambitious design and construction schedule necessitated a fast-track project delivery method. EEA assisted the design team with the development of a detailed phasing and construction sequencing plan for the relocation of several major infrastructure lines prior to initiating construction of the deck.

EEA subsequently prepared detailed construction documents for the new site improvements and also provided periodic construction phase monitoring services on an “as requested” basis. This project was completed in April 2005.

Entrance Plaza

EEA also assisted with the design of an entrance plaza at the Physical Education Complex where benches, lighting, intriguing geometry and landscaping provide a space for students to congregate, while not encumbering access to pedestrian walkways for other students. The construction of this plaza, as it typical of most campus construction, required detailed coordination and phasing, since it required complete reconstruction of the entrance to the complex while the facility was in use. Because of the university’s urban setting, both bus and pedestrian issues were also addressed.

Civil engineering improvements over the past 15 years have a combined construction value in excess of $1 million.