Chicago Construction News staff writer
Northeastern Illinois University held a ceremonial groundbreaking Monday for its new Education Building, which will house the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education.
Designed by SmithGroup and constructed by Accel Construction, the 189,673-square-foot facility will feature classrooms, laboratories, clinics, administrative offices, and 48,735 square feet of space for general university use. The total project cost is estimated at $125.4 million.
The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) will oversee the project to ensure compliance with state standards for quality and safety. “The Capital Development Board is proud to partner with Northeastern Illinois University on this exciting project,” said TJ Edwards, executive director of the CDB. “This modern Education Building represents a significant investment in our state’s future educators, supporting their academic success for years to come.”
The new building will include sustainable features such as a second-floor green roof with vegetation and seating, bird-safe fritted glass and window film, and is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification.
“This multi-use, state-of-the-art facility will be the future home of the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education,” said Northeastern President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan. “With a strong legacy of preparing educators for leadership and service, NEIU has long anticipated this milestone. The new Education Building reflects our commitment to modernization and will benefit the entire University community.”
The project has been more than 20 years in the making and is expected to address the university’s growing demand for classroom space, support services, and education reform initiatives.
“This new building will be a wonderful addition to our Main Campus and will inspire a whole new generation of education majors at Northeastern for years to come,” said R. Shanye Cofer, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.
