Rebecca Crown Center Plaza Restoration

Project Status

Construction start: July 2016
Completion: November 2016

Project Description & Statistics

Originally constructed in 1968, the Rebecca Crown Center Plaza has long served as one of the University’s main hubs, where faculty, staff, students and the broader campus community cross paths.

The plaza has deteriorated over time, and requires much needed repair and maintenance to address structural deficiencies.

Duration of Project

The project is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, and is projected to be completed in November 2016. Construction will occur in multiple phases to allow for continual use of the plaza.

Hours of Construction

Facilities Management will oversee the project in collaboration with other campus partners. Work will take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Construction will not occur on Sundays in order to minimize impact to our surrounding Evanston community.

What to Expect

While work on this project will occur during business hours, we are taking proactive measures to minimize the impact to you, your colleagues, and visitors to the Rebecca Crown Center. During the construction period, users can also expect construction fencing, noise, and rotating boardwalks. All efforts will be made to minimize the impact to users.

Scope of Work

While the focus of the enhancements is primarily restoration, this project will also positively impact the functionality and appearance of the plaza.

The project will include:

  • Removal and replacement of the existing plaza surface and waterproof membrane
  • Improved accessibility and pedestrian circulation
  • Installation of a snow-melt system in primary circulation paths
  • Replacement of existing handrails with planters and steps where possible
  • Installation of bike racks and wood benches
  • Improved lighting
  • Irrigation in planted areas
  • New furniture

Please see the following images reflecting the PROJECT PROGRAM and PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK.

Plaza Access

Two entrances to the plaza will be retained at all times during construction. Temporary, pedestrian ‘boardwalks’ paths with handrails will be installed on the plaza to guide building occupant and guests safely to their destination. The existing ADA accessible ramp will be retained on the east side of Crown Plaza therefore continued use of the existing handicap spots are encouraged.

The north stair access will be closed for the duration of the project but can be re-opened if necessary. In its place, a ramp will be constructed to transport material to and from the plaza.

Please see the following diagram establishing the CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

Update

To assist with this work, it is necessary that we close the east and west tower main doors on the plaza level on Saturday – Sunday, August 20-21 and Saturday – Sunday, August 27-28. During this time, please access the north tower through the plaza entrance. The east and west towers can be accessed through the ground floor hallway. All plaza entrances will re-open on Monday, August 22 at 6:00 a.m.

Tower Entrance Closures

Occasional entrance closures will be required to replace the existing surface material. The project team will work closely with the building occupants to determine when this work occurs to minimize disruption. Additional wayfinding signage will be installed on the Crown Plaza and inside the building to assure for secure and safe passage of campus visitors through these spaces.

Parking Lot 227, East of Crown

Parking spaces in Lot 227 will remain open during the renovation and access through the parking lot to the Rebecca Crown Center Garage will be retained.

Construction Staging

The north side of Rebecca Crown Center will be utilized for construction staging. A temporary construction fence will be installed for the duration of the project and a ramp installed adjacent to the north stairs to allow for the easy transport of construction materials to and from the plaza level. This will require that ten parking spaces be removed from University Place. These spaces re-open following the completion of construction.

Water Infiltration

In response to recent water infiltration during heavy rain, Facilities Management is activating a water infiltration risk mitigation plan to protect the ground floor of Rebecca Crown Center. To perform this work, it is necessary that we close the east and west tower main doors on the plaza level and garage on Saturday – Sunday, August 20-21 and Saturday – Sunday, August 27-28.

To mitigate risk of further water infiltration, Facilities Management has taken the following measures:

Noise & Dust Mitigation

Facilities Management is committed to minimizing disruption, and it is our goal to mitigate noise and dust through the duration of the project whenever possible. The following practices will be utilized to mitigate noise:

Rebecca Crown Center Garage

The Rebecca Crown Center garage will remain open and accessible throughout the duration of this project; however, periodic disruptions may occur as the plaza is immediately above the garage. All efforts will be made to conduct work in the garage outside of business hours, and Rebecca Crown Center occupants will be made aware of known disruptions at least one week in advance.

Update

The Rebecca Crown Center Garage will be closed on Saturday – Sunday, August 20-21 and Saturday – Sunday, August 27-28.

Alternative parking lot options during these days include:

Communication

Please visit this website regularly to access the latest information, project details, and frequently asked questions (FAQs). The site will be updated regularly, and serve as a key resource throughout the course of the project.

A four-week look ahead will be provided and updated by Thursday of each week. The project manager will communicate proposed construction activities (e.g. demolition, excavation, paving) and will list dates and working hours to building occupants. While delays to the schedule are costly, building users are encouraged to alert Carrie West if there are periods where no interruptions will be accepted.

FOUR WEEK LOOK-AHEAD

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PLAN

As this project execution is weather permitting, the project team appreciates your patience and flexibility as some dates may fluctuate due to unforeseen circumstances.

Questions

If you have questions regarding this project, please contact Carrie West at (217) 493-5171 or via email at carrie.west@northwestern.edu.


Please visit this website regularly to access the latest information, project details, and FAQs. The site will be updated regularly, and serve as a key resource throughout the course of the project.




Project Team

Project Management

Charles Davidson, Senior Project Manager

Architect, Engineers & Consultants

Landscape architect: Hitchcock Design Group

General Contractor

Leopardo Companies

Contact Information

All inquiries should be directed to:

Carrie West, Associate Director of Planning
Northwestern University
Facilities
2020 Ridge Ave., Suite 250
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: 847-467-4380 
carrie.west@northwestern.edu
Charles Davidson, Sr. Project Manager
Northwestern University
Facilities
2020 Ridge Ave., Suite 250
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: 847-467-2633

Cell: 847-275-2123
cdavidson@northwestern.edu