Bids go out for UIS public safety building

Bids are expected to be awarded in early March for a new Public Safety Building at the University of Illinois Springfield.

The building, which has been in the works for several years, will be the first new building on campus since Founders Residence Hall opened in August 2008.

“It went out for bids Nov. 19, and there was a roomful of contractors at our pre-bid meeting,” said Chuck Coderko, director of construction for UIS.

The state has appropriated $5.3 million through the Illinois Capital Development Board for the entire project. Construction costs are estimated to be less than $4.35 million.

UIS and Capital Development Board officials had hoped to begin the project more than a year ago, but delays in designing the building pushed the start date back. The building has been in the design phase for the past year and a half, Coderko said.

“Even though it has been a slow process, we’re really pleased with the design,” UIS Chancellor Susan Koch said. “This is a long-awaited project for us, and we’re really happy it is moving forward.”

Coderko said the one-story, 9,000-square-foot building will house 22 people — 13 UIS public safety officers, a chief and sergeant, dispatchers, and other staff — who are currently located in a house on the north side of campus.

The house “doesn’t meet the state requirements for a police department,” Coderko said. 

Koch said the new building “is professional and appropriate for a growing campus.”

“Campus safety is a very high priority for us,” she said.

This story appeared online at The State Journal-Register on December 4, 2014.  

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