Current and Recent Projects

PROJECT NAME:

Decarbonization - Geothermal Well Field, Phase 1 

PROJECT INFORMATION:

As part of the next Master Plan and Climate Action Plan, a Decarbonization Study has been underway to further improve Loyola’s energy consumption within existing buildings, set higher goals for any new construction, and rethink our dependency on fossil fuels for heating buildings, water, and food. Acting on these plans and studies a new geothermal well field within the campus green space east and south of Piper Hall was identified as a phase one implementation. This first phase of geothermal wells will reduce our dependency on fossil fuels to heat and cool, with a reduction in 135,000 kilowatt hours(kWH) annually and CO2e savings of 72,000kg annually. Additional geothermal wells will be implemented in this area of campus under a future phase to help meet the current and future energy demands on this part of campus. 

BUDGET: Phase 1 - $4,000,000

SCHEDULE: March 18, 2024 – August 25, 2024

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• During construction, the grotto will remain protected and will be re-opened and available to the public upon completion of the project in August. 
• Loyola and its contractors are committed to protecting Lake Michigan from runoff and spoils that occur during geothermal well drilling. 
• After drilling is complete, a new biodiverse garden and greenspace will be constructed to restore the site and improve access to the lakefront. 
• To learn more about geothermal and other sustainable features of Loyola’s campuses, please visit Sustainability at Loyola. 

From March 4 - March 9, Loyola will undergo several construction projects to improve the campus facilities. Please take note of the following projects: 

• Piper/Coffey Hall Plaza 
• Dumbach Hall Tower Scaffolding
• MDS Sound System Enhancements 3/6/2024 
• Canisius Hall Parking Lot 3/2-3/9/2024 

These projects are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability and improvement of our campus. Thank you for your understanding during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

Please click on the link below for the logisitics plan and additional project detail.

Spring Break 2024 Map

On February 19th, Facilities shared a preview of the Summer 2024 construction work that will be happening around campus. Here's a link to the slides that were shared during that presentation:

Summer 2024 Construction Preview

DETAILS:

Loyola University Chicago announced that the University has signed an agreement in partnership with Constellation (Nasdaq: CEG) to purchase power from a new solar project under development in Sangamon and Morgan Counties in Illinois. Developed by renewable energy developer, owner and operator Swift Current Energy, the project—named “Double Black Diamond”—will be the largest solar farm in Illinois and among the largest solar projects in the country, and provide enough electricity to completely power the University’s Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences Campuses. 

BUDGET:

Loyola has agreed to purchase the electricity produced sized to the campus demand of 81,660 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity in the first year of production. Compared to current electricity and renewable energy credit purchasing, Loyola anticipates significant savings during the 12-year agreement. 

SCHEDULE:

Double Black Diamond is expected to start producing renewable electricity in late 2024. 

SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES:

81,660 MWh is the equivalent of removing 12,586 passenger vehicles driven per year or electricity use in 10,512 homes in one year. The project is intended to be constructed and certified "Pollinator Friendly" through the State of Illinois' Solar Site Pollinator Score Card Program featuring native wildflowers and vegetated buffers.   

LOCATION:

Central Illinois 

PROJECT INFORMATION:

New building drainage, pumps, and a storm trap are being installed in the plaza space to protect Coffey Hall and Piper Hall from flooding that occurs during severe weather events.  The project is one of many that the University continues to undertake each year to make our campus more resilient to climate change.

The stormwater work requires removal of trees, hardscape, and the existing plaza and fountain.

The site will be restored with a new plaza that promotes social gathering and community-building through open space and seating options, a berm that emulates lakefront dunes that would have existed in this location long ago, and native plantings and trees.  The Sacred Heart grotto will remain in its existing location, but walkways will be rerouted to improve access to the lakefront path.  

BUDGET: $3,500,000

SCHEDULE:

Stormwater and temporary hardscape paths through the plaza will be completed May 15, 2023 – August 23, 2023

Plaza hardscape work will continue through the fall semester of 2023

Landscaping and final hardscape paths will be underway during the spring semester of 2024, and complete by May 1, 2024

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Dumbach Hall (built in 1908, and the oldest building on Lake Shore Campus) is undergoing a comprehensive façade restoration to preserve its architectural heritage.  This is the first of two planned phases to restore the building envelope; in the summer of 2024 the clay tile roof will be removed and replaced to match the original tile profiles and color.

BUDGET: Phase 1 - $1,700,000

SCHEDULE: May 15, 2023 – August 23, 2023