CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel will ask city council members for approval of a $45 million property tax increase that would pay for construction projects at Chicago’s schools. This additional levy would go beyond the one the mayor’s school board raised to deal with the school district’s deficit — which could eventually lead to layoffs if the state doesn’t come through on funding.
CALGARY, Alberta — The Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts, the newest addition to the Mount Royal University campus in Calgary, opened with an event at the center’s Bella Concert Hall on Aug. 26. The facility aims to reset the standard for music education in Canada.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State University in Fort Collins is set to begin construction on a new stadium situated in the heart of campus. Scheduled for completion in time for the 2017 season, the $220 million project will start foundation and on-site utility work as early as October. Kansas City, Mo.-headquartered Populous is working as the architect on the project.
STORRS, Conn. — Several construction projects are underway this year as part of the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) strategic Master Plan. UCONN 2000, 21st Century UConn and the new 10-year, $1.5 billion initiative, Next Generation Connecticut, are all helping transform the state’s flagship public university. Here’s a roundup of several major projects under construction in accordance to the plan.
MOLINE, Ill. — A ribbon cutting marking the official opening of the new Hamilton Elementary School in Moline coincided with the school’s first day of classes on Aug. 18. As the Moline-Coal Valley School District’s first new school in the city in five decades, Hamilton nearly quadruples the size of its 100-year-old predecessor and will house up to 600 K-5 students, according to a statement by the district.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Students returning to Purdue University this fall will see some changes after construction crews spent the summer completing more than 70 projects on campus.
MORROW, Ga. — The new 58,610-square-foot, $18 million at Clayton State University has reached final completion and is ready to welcome students. The new facility is intended to provide Clayton State with additional space for required laboratory classes. Construction began on the project in November 2013.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Phase II of the $485 million construction project at Texas A&M University’s Kyle Field should be completed in time for this year’s Sept. 12 home opener. The facility redevelopment is the largest in collegiate history.
NEW ORLEANS — The 2015 EDspaces Conference and Expo Innovation Awards competition is now accepting submissions for outstanding products for educational facilities. The Innovation Awards celebrate new products that showcase innovation, function and aesthetic advancements in the learning environment.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks broke ground July 20 on the Collaborative Energy Complex (CEC), a new facility that will become the new front door to the university’s College of Engineering and Mines.
