Project Overview
The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), in coordination with the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) and University of Illinois (U of I), have kicked off the design and development of DPI’s new Chicago Center for Education and Research – University of Illinois in “The 78” neighborhood of Chicago. The new DPI building will be situated on a one-acre parcel on the south end of the neighborhood between 15th Street, Wells Street, the St. Charles Air Line Bridge, and the Metra right of way.
The design team was selected as part of the CDB’s new Excellence in Design Program in late 2020 and kicked off the first phase of the project in December 2021 by hosting a collaborative, two-day partnering session with the Illinois CDB, DPI, U of I, and Turner Construction (construction management for the project). The design team consists of the prime architecture firms of Jacobs, OMA, and IDEO and several other design firms in the Chicago area.
Collins is excited to be leading the civil site design and survey efforts for the project. Construction for the project is planned to commence in 2023 with an expected opening in early 2026. Collins’ design services will include site survey, site staging and earthwork, erosion and sediment control, grading and drainage, stormwater management, site planning, new utility service design, pedestrian and ADA access, LEED and sustainability documentation, and site permitting.