The Facilities Services Building located on 5225 S. Cottage Grove is the newest addition to the University of Chicago - Facilities Services portfolio. Located directly across from the historic Illinois National Guard 124th Artillery in Washington Park, is the new home for the Facilities Services trade shops, landscape services crew, and inventory control.
Beginning January 2015, a combined 22 truckloads of equipment and supplies will commenced to fill 89,000 square feet of space. This newly constructed two level structure will welcome shop occupants from landscaping, residential maintenance, carpentry, paint, sheet metal, electrical and locksmith trades. Barry O’Quinn, manager, Campus Trade Shops will serve as building manager for this site.
The Facilities Services Building is a LEED Silver building that features geothermal fields under the parking lot and a green roof; all building materials meet the LEED requirements. Désireé DiLucente, senior project manager collaborated with the new occupants on the building’s interior design whenever possible. The second level provides the greatest common space within the building which consists of four conference rooms and a large kitchen area. The first level is home to inventory control which provides easy access from the docks to vendors and team members.
Brandon Rux, manager of Grounds and Landscape Services conveys, “I think the new building will allow the ground’s staff ample space to work more efficiently and effectively. We have never had the amenities that this building provides so I anticipate this will be a big change for us.”
Construction began on the new Facilities Services Building December 2013; January 2015 a new era will begin at 5225 S. Cottage Grove. “This shows the University is investing in the future of the Operations Shops, the environment, and the tools we will have to support the University as needed.” says O’Quinn