Red light shines inside the Observatory

Deferred Maintenance Aids ‘The Night Spot’

By Trish Barker, LAS New projects, planning, and deep appreciation keep the Observatory looking upward On a typical day, thousands of students, faculty, and staff crisscross campus, hustling from one class, project, meeting, and building to another. During daylight hours, crowds flow in and out of major destinations like Lincoln Hall, the Union, and the Library. Preserving that experience for students and visitors means preserving the … Continue reading Deferred Maintenance Aids ‘The Night Spot’

Ebony Murray and Todd Hawkins

Two of Our Own

Todd Hawkins and Ebony Murray were honored with Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award, “recognizing exceptional performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.” “It is a signal of high esteem in which your colleagues hold you,” wrote Chancellor Robert Jones. For the full announcement, including 14 others from around campus, see: https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/1550162396. Todd Hawkins, ironworker foreperson Listen to a new podcast with Todd Hawkins here. From the … Continue reading Two of Our Own

New crane at Undergraduate Library

Big Blue: New Crane Acquired to Use on UGL Renovation

The Undergraduate Library is changing. The underground facility long used by students is moving most of its resources to the Main Library. Demolition is part of the makeover, and F&S operating engineers play a big role. As put by The Daily Illini: After it shuts its doors… the Undergraduate Library will be closed for construction as part of a project to transform it into a … Continue reading Big Blue: New Crane Acquired to Use on UGL Renovation

Illini Hall demolition

Demo Work Kickstarts Years-Long Renovation Plan for Illini and Altgeld Halls

Better get a good peek now, because soon, Illini Hall will be gone. First erected in 1907 as the official University of Illinois YMCA across Wright Street from the venerable Main Quad, Illini Hall is in the process of demolition and replacement. By the end of February 2023 or so, it’ll be gone. This action also starts the clock on work coming for its cross-street … Continue reading Demo Work Kickstarts Years-Long Renovation Plan for Illini and Altgeld Halls

Carpenters staging furniture before replacing carpet at NCSA.

Carpenters, Painters, Laborers Take the Stage

Carpenters, painters, and laborers replaced much of the carpeted flooring on the second, third, and fourth floors at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) building. It was an important task in a big location and came with unique challenges. Staging F&S labeled every chair, table, and computer by its office number. Once removed, carpenters and laborers could ensure each piece of furniture go back … Continue reading Carpenters, Painters, Laborers Take the Stage

Shop Spotlight: Operating Engineers with heavy machinery in transportation bay.

Shop Spotlight: Operator Engineers

Who doesn’t want to play in the dirt?? Stephanie Amabeli, F&S Operator Engineer F&S operating engineers learn and use machinery to aid in construction, renovation, and other labor across campus. Small machines plow snow from paths. Backhoes move earth to access underground networks. Cranes and other extending arm implements take work to the skies. An operator’s very purpose is to support other crafts and trades … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Operator Engineers

INSIDER

F&S Insider: Volume 6, Issue 2

2022 was a year of transition. 2023 will be a year for growth. The long shadow of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is being pushed behind us more and more each day. As F&S continues to collaborate with others on projects that will transform the physical environment of the campus, the organization is well-positioned to use its expertise, experience, and resourcefulness to help lead … Continue reading F&S Insider: Volume 6, Issue 2

Main Quad rendering for Campus Landscape Master Plan

Campus Landscape Master Plan: Zoom In on the Main Quad

Campus Landscape Master Plan recommendations for the Main Quad District support the rehabilitation of a beloved campus space that is continuously in need of restoration while at the same time highlighting the commitment to resiliency in the core of the campus. 1. Enhance Main Quad Courtyards2. Main Quad Turf Restoration3. Illini Union + Anniversary Plaza Restoration4. Centennial Court Restoration Changes to Anniversary Plaza should respect … Continue reading Campus Landscape Master Plan: Zoom In on the Main Quad

Campus Landscape Master Plan

Campus Landscape Master Plan: Our Treasured Landscape Will Thrive

The CLMP aims to provide detailed objectives to create a campus landscape that fosters an appreciation for the Illinois natural and cultural heritage and protects historic university landscapes. go.fs.illinois.edu/CLMP The CLMP will build on three foundational plans and a heritage of designed landscape campus planning that provide agreed upon direction for the campus landscape. The landscape vision set by the Campus Master Plan; the priorities … Continue reading Campus Landscape Master Plan: Our Treasured Landscape Will Thrive