Assembly Hall design work to cost $2.2 million
CHAMPAIGN — Initial designs for a major renovation of the Assembly Hall will cost the University of Illinois about $2.2 million, officials said Monday.
A UI Board of Trustees committee reviewed a proposed contract with AECOM, the architectural and engineering firm recommended for the project out of more than a dozen firms that submitted proposals. The full board is scheduled to vote on the contract at its Dec. 2 meeting in Springfield.
If approved, AECOM will be asked to come up with a schematic design that can be used for fundraising efforts, as the project will be privately funded, officials said.
"This is a first step," said Michael Bass, UI associate vice president for capital programs and real estate services.
Athletic Director Mike Thomas said last week that he hoped to have a design concept for potential donors by the spring.
Once 80 percent of the funding is in place, the athletic department will ask the university for permission to move ahead with the project. The same financing model was used for the renovation of Memorial Stadium.
At that point, the board will be asked to approve a contract amendment with AECOM to complete the project, Bass said.
Officials have not discussed a total cost for the project. That's one of the tasks for AECOM as it drafts a master construction plan, said Trustee Ed McMillan.
He expects the firm to come up with a staged approach to the renovation that the university could tackle in phases. Among the suggested improvements are air-conditioning, expanded restrooms, better flow around the arena and club boxes or special seating to attract corporate sponsorships, he said.
McMillan said it would be nice to have a new, state-of-the-art facility, but the Assembly Hall is a source of identity for the campus and city.
"The renovation being proposed can bring to it the kind of accoutrements for athletes and for fans that we can all be proud of," he said.
The question is whether donors will provide the needed funding, but "I suspect with the loyalty of alumni and university (supporters) we'll get it done," McMillan said.
Based in Los Angeles, AECOM has offices in Chicago and around the globe.
Luxury boxes at the cost of seating....the needs of the few once again outweigh the needs of the many. If you have basketball season tickets in C section your seasons are numbered! Privately funded followed by private seat licensing! Apparently Illinois Loyalty can only be measured in terms of money, power, and influence!
It means not funded by tax dollars. They'll probably ask for donations, and/or pass some of the cost to the fans who buy tickets. They could also raise money from corporate naming rights. Illinois needs a new mascot maybe they could use the Land O Lakes indian girl and collect a fee. She could do a halftime show involving butter in some way. I'd tune in for that.
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