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
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
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
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
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
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
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
- Repaired existing leaks identified during the Thursday, August 18, 2016 storm event
- Added additional personnel to the project who are charged with walking and monitoring the site for leaks 24 hours a day.
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:
- The demolition will be completed via wet saw cutting in lieu of
jack hammering whenever possible. - There is a surface in the plaza that can only be removed by jack-hammering. Jack-hammering will only occur between the hours of 7:00-8:30 a.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays.
- The project will install temporary, 4’ high protection on the windows surrounding the plaza. In addition to reducing sound transmission, this 4’ barrier will protect the windows during construction and allow light to enter
into the offices. - All surfaces will be power washed following the completion of construction and, as needed, throughout the duration of the project.
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:
- Lot L230 which is the road immediately north of Rebecca Crown Center along University Place;
- Lot L232 which is located south of 720 University Place;
- Lot L226 which is located east of 619 Clark Street.
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.
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 |