UIC Campus

[UICJohn]

I was in the city late this evening and near the UIC campus and decided to stop and take a walk around. I haven’t been on campus in a few years (which is odd that I stopped because I’ll be at the game next Saturday).

The new College or Engineering building looks great. It’s on Taylor taking up half of the old parking lot (the one I used to use when I lived on campus).

There is currently a building across the street on Taylor under construction. It’s huge! Anyone know what it is?

There’s a newer building on Harrison. I think it was the College of Education and also dorms. Another great looking addition.

I like the new Quad. I read that there was a lot of debate over it but it’s definitely more warm, welcoming, etc than before.

A lot of new places on Taylor street - even my favorite, Little Joes, has gone under a lot of changes. There’s also a huge Chicago Public Library further west and a huge construction as well.

[uicc79]

UIC John, the new College of Engineering building constructed in the old parking lot (which I also used to use) is the Engineering Innovation Building (EIB), which opened in the summer of 2019. The building across the street that is under construction is the new Computer Design, Research and Learning Center (CDRLC). It will open in the spring of 2024. After it opens, the Department of Computer Science will probably be the largest unit within the College of Engineering, which currently has about 6,300 students in it.
I assume the newer building on Harrison that you are referring to is the Academic & Residential Complex (ARC), which I believe also opened in 2019.

[waadle]

Jan 1, 2024 22:41:08 GMT -6 UICJohn said:

I was in the city late this evening and near the UIC campus and decided to stop and take a walk around. I haven’t been on campus in a few years (which is odd that I stopped because I’ll be at the game next Saturday).

The new College or Engineering building looks great. It’s on Taylor taking up half of the old parking lot (the one I used to use when I lived on campus).

There is currently a building across the street on Taylor under construction. It’s huge! Anyone know what it is?

There’s a newer building on Harrison. I think it was the College of Education and also dorms. Another great looking addition.

I like the new Quad. I read that there was a lot of debate over it but it’s definitely more warm, welcoming, etc than before.

A lot of new places on Taylor street - even my favorite, Little Joes, has gone under a lot of changes. There’s also a huge Chicago Public Library further west and a huge construction as well.

Hi John!

The new building across from the Engineering Innovation Building (EIB) will be the new Computer Design and Research Building. 

The building on Harrison is the Academic and Residential Complex (ARC), this is a "mixed housing" building, people have classes and dorm there.

I agree with you on the quad. The quad is very welcoming especially when there are events held there at night. Quad is always filled with people.

UIC is moving on from the brutalist architecture. Many people do not like brutalist architecture but I kinda like it. Soon to get a building will be the College of Business. This will be built where commons west is, i am not sure if they will simply refurbish the building or completely demolish commons west and build it. Right across from commons west in harrison field there will be a new Performing Arts Center. Lots of exciting changes coming to UIC. Even the neighborhoods are changing, West Loop had massive growth and Little Italy has grown together with UIC. I recommend looking at the UIC master plan. This master plan features both short term and long term goals for the UIC campus. Hope I was able to give you some insight!


UIC master plan:Master Plan

Computer Design and Research Building: link Live Cam

[UICJohn]

Thanks 79 and Waddle.

I remember reading a previous Master Plan which, for the most part, never got done. So I'm leery of them. However, was great to see all of the work being done on campus (or been done).

Interesting re: the new College of Business building. Is CMW not used for housing anymore? Seems interesting that they'll be taking housing away when the demand has gone up so much. But that, and a new Performing Arts Center (the current one is quite outdated) is nice to see.

I'll check out the Master Plan for some more.

My one buddy is involved in the engineering aspect of the Computer Design and Research Building so that is what got me interested in this recently and over for a walk on campus yesterday.

[uicc79]

I would like to add that the Master Plan still shows the addition of the Advanced Chemical Technology Building, to be constructed immediately south of the Science and Engineering South building. The annoucement of the addition of that building was made in 2012(!) when Pat Quinn was the governor. The annoucement said at the time that the state was releasing $64 million towards the building and that construction would start in FY 2014. Besides research, it would house both the Departments of Physics and Chemistry. I wonder it has not been built; along with the buildings constructed since 2019, would certainly add to UIC's rising academic prowess.

[waadle]

Jan 2, 2024 13:02:39 GMT -6 UICJohn said:

Thanks 79 and Waddle.

I remember reading a previous Master Plan which, for the most part, never got done. So I'm leery of them. However, was great to see all of the work being done on campus (or been done).

Interesting re: the new College of Business building. Is CMW not used for housing anymore? Seems interesting that they'll be taking housing away when the demand has gone up so much. But that, and a new Performing Arts Center (the current one is quite outdated) is nice to see.

I'll check out the Master Plan for some more.

My one buddy is involved in the engineering aspect of the Computer Design and Research Building so that is what got me interested in this recently and over for a walk on campus yesterday.

Commons West is still being used for housing, however in the future this might not be the case. It worries me that they dont prioritise student housing, only in the long term goals which might not occur. I agree the ETMSW building is super outdated. One thing to note is that this plan is already kinda old, 2018. It will be interesting to see if new Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda changes some plans.

[UICJohn]

Jan 2, 2024 14:39:23 GMT -6 waadle said:

Jan 2, 2024 13:02:39 GMT -6 UICJohn said:

Thanks 79 and Waddle.

I remember reading a previous Master Plan which, for the most part, never got done. So I'm leery of them. However, was great to see all of the work being done on campus (or been done).

Interesting re: the new College of Business building. Is CMW not used for housing anymore? Seems interesting that they'll be taking housing away when the demand has gone up so much. But that, and a new Performing Arts Center (the current one is quite outdated) is nice to see.

I'll check out the Master Plan for some more.

My one buddy is involved in the engineering aspect of the Computer Design and Research Building so that is what got me interested in this recently and over for a walk on campus yesterday.

Commons West is still being used for housing, however in the future this might not be the case. It worries me that they dont prioritise student housing, only in the long term goals which might not occur. I agree the ETMSW building is super outdated. One thing to note is that this plan is already kinda old, 2018. It will be interesting to see if new Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda changes some plans.

I also thought it was interesting that there were three designated quads on the master plan. There’s the one I’ve always known and, I believe one referred to as a north and a south quad. I know the areas but not sure if they’ve done anything to make them spaces more for meeting, socializing, etc.

In terms of housing, that is odd to me as well. There is a lot of space on Taylor between the medical campus and the main campus - that could be a nice middle spot for campus housing. Not directly on campus but close enough. I can’t think of any other directly on campos areas especially factoring in those plans.

There was one other thing (on my phone so can’t see) that was interesting. It looked like the large parking lot on Halsted across from the Student Center was listed as a project and it wasn’t for a parking lot. Not sure what it was.

And if they do look to take some of the parking lots/spaces away for buildings, wonder how that would look for commuter status. Less lots but more housing.