The Urbana campus is home to more than 18,000 trees.
For years, F&S has helped maintain a publicly-available online database of all trees on campus through “TreeKeeper,” seen here: https://go.fs.illinois.edu/trees. Now, imagine all those leaves…
An afternoon with a rake, a few bags, and a rewarding warm apple cider won’t be enough to clear all those leaves. No, F&S Grounds workers use different, stronger tactics.
When leaves first come, 14 mowers are fitted with a new blade system that cuts up the leaves into even finer bits than you’d traditionally get, so that there’s no big pieces of leaf debris left in the grass. The much finer material settles back into the lawn, becoming a beneficial amendment to the soil and grass. Too much of that, though, can damage the ground, so when larger leaf deposits come later in the year, leaves get removed in another way.
Four large vacuums that sit on the back of tractors are deployed, as well as personal, backpack-style vacuums hit the grounds, too. The tractor-led machinery gets the job done for the largest piles. Leaves are sucked up and shipped off site from the main campus over to a field near the Pollinatarium where giant leaf piles are left in rows in the open and treated as compost.
“We regularly rotate the materials, just like a little composter for your yard” said Grounds foreperson Isaac Williams. “It will break down over time. When we use it again, it’ll be mostly lawn restoration, versus plant beds. It’s good organic matter that we recycle just like our trees. It’s all re-used.” Williams noted the difficult weather related to leaves is wind, noting that even wet leaves are easy to manage, as they won’t fly around as easily. Tracking the hours is key, too, to avoid loud blowers early in the morning near Housing facilities.
“We just try to be as quick as possible. We’ve been asked to shut down by professors if we’re close to a classroom, for instance. All operators are wearing hearing protection for 8 hours, so it can be loud.”
Participants shared a desire for better Main Quad gathering spaces and made observations that some of the walkways and corridors leading into the main Quad are underutilized. Students expressed need for access to power outlets and Wi-Fi hubs to support their work.
Additionally, planting new trees, filling hedge gaps, and adding ground cover can restore historic design, improve rainwater absorption, and enhance views of Foellinger Auditorium and the Illini Union.
Prototype Project Implementation
In the case of the Main Quad District, the prototype project extent aligns with that of the district itself. Therefore, the following recommendations provide additional detail to the district strategies. These recommendations add detail to district strategies, supporting the restoration of this cherished campus space while reinforcing the commitment to resilience at the campus core.
Centennial Court’s restoration will update its 1969 design with new paving, lighting, and trees, maintaining its event plaza function, pending approval.
Anniversary Plaza’s restoration will preserve its design while adding an amphitheater, arc with a water feature, and an underground cistern for improved functionality and sustainability.
Three Main Quad courtyards will be redesigned: one for bike parking and seating, another with a water feature honoring donors, and the third with study tables, Wi-Fi, power, shade trees, and hammock posts.
iCAP Goal Contribution
Reduces impervious surfaces by approximately 130,000 square feet (sq. ft.).
Treats a total water volume of 3.87 acre feet.
Reduces potable water consumption by capturing and recycling rainwater with a 2,800 sq. ft. (4’ depth) cistern.
Reduces turf by 32,350 sq. ft.
Sustainable Main Quad Improvements
Main Quad planting will preserve its historic design, use resilient trees, and add native groundcover. Immediate improvements include restoring yew hedges, removing obstructing trees, and enhancing soil for better durability and rainwater management.
The Main Quad’s lighting will be updated with dark sky-compliant LEDs, new poles with self-watering baskets for seasonal interest, and upgraded Wi-Fi fixtures, all designed to accommodate irrigation lines.
The Main Quad’s surrounding areas will also feature permeable paving, covered bike parking, and event space, with Nevada Street developed as a pedestrian gateway connecting the cultural houses to the campus core.
The Main Quad should be prioritized for maintenance as it plays a key role in the university’s image and donor connections. Recommended strategies include installing a smart irrigation system with weather stations for efficient watering, adding permeable pavers along walkways and courtyards to enhance rainwater infiltration and groundwater recharge, and transitioning the turf from Kentucky Bluegrass to tall fescue for reduced maintenance, improved drought resistance, and better soil health. This turf shift will be phased, beginning with the north turf panel in year one, while continuing irrigation across all Quad spaces.
Comprised of indoor and outdoor recreationalfacilities and set within large auto-oriented blocks, this district is largely vehicular oriented, characterized by large parking lots and open spaces with a lack of visual consistency and cohesive branding. Key entry points, like Neil Street and W. Kirby Avenue, are vital for campus events given the location of the State Farm Center, Memorial Stadium and the many athletics destinations along this corridor such as baseball, softball and tennis.
These entry points currently fail to provide an optimal visitor experience, especially with inadequate pedestrian crossings and safety issues.
Stakeholder input highlights the need for additional gateways to better welcome visitors. Large parking lots contribute to significant runoff and strain on utilities, while Stadium Terrace remains underutilized outside of game days, with potential for improved tailgating experiences and community engagement.
District Enhancements and Future Development
To address these challenges, the CLMP proposes several improvements for the Industrial and Athletics Districts, as Kirby Avenue connects them. New vehicular gateways at Neil Street & W. Kirby Avenue and Neil Street & Stadium Drive will enhance campus arrival points, with additional gateways at S. First Street & Kirby Avenue to strengthen connections between Grange Grove and Stadium Terrace.
The plan also includes working with the City of Champaign and City of Urbana to implement a complete streets approach on Kirby Avenue will include increased tree canopy, a linear rain garden for runoff management, and larger pedestrian queuing areas. Consistent landscape standards will be applied, incorporating site furnishings, LED lighting, and branding elements like the “Illini” block letters at S. Oak Street & Kirby Avenue.
Additional upgrades include replacing the Physical Plant Service Building fence with an opaque, branded version and transitioning the low mow landscape on the south side of Kirby Avenue into a native meadow landscape to promote sustainability.
The CLMP recommends several improvements to enhance Kirby Avenue as a key connector between the Industrial and Athletics Districts. New vehicular gateways are proposed at Neil Street & W. Kirby Avenue and Neil Street & Stadium Drive to reinforce campus arrival and highlight key landmarks like the State Farm Center and Memorial Stadium. These gateways should also be applied to railroad underpasses in coordination with the City of Champaign. A secondary gateway at S. First Street and Kirby Avenue will mark the campus core and visually connect Grange Grove to Stadium Terrace.
A complete streets approach should be integrated along Kirby Avenue from Neil Street to Lincoln Avenue, including a tree canopy on the south side between S. Oak Street and S. First Street to create a narrowing effect. A long, linear rain garden will manage runoff from parking lot E-14 and set an aesthetic tone for plantings. Larger pedestrian queuing areas at S. Oak and S. First Street will enhance safety, with highly visible crosswalks throughout.
The district should follow CLMP’s “Landscape Standards,” ensuring consistent site furnishings like bicycle racks, benches, lighting, and signage. LED street lighting and branding elements, such as an “Illini” block letter sign at S. Oak Street and Kirby Avenue, should be implemented. The existing Physical Plant Services Building fence on Kirby Avenue’s north side should be replaced with an opaque fence to screen service areas, complemented by native plantings to enhance the campus aesthetic.
Additionally, the low mow landscape on Kirby Avenue’s south side between Neil Street and Oak Street should transition into a native or adaptive meadow landscape, reinforcing Illinois’ sustainability goals in this high-traffic corridor leading to the stadium and arena.
The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will develop a future athletics master plan to meet the needs of the Athletic District, align with donor expectations, and create a unified athletics image. Landscaping should integrate with the broader campus while maintaining unique elements suited to athletic venues, such as cohesive fencing and pylons around Grange Grove.
The Fighting Illini Promenade within the Athletics Quad can be enhanced with small courtyards and visitor amenities during events. A continuous fence around the Athletics Quad will improve access control and reinforce its identity, similar to the Grange Grove fence. Smart irrigation systems should also be incorporated into athletics facilities.
St. Mary’s Road should maintain its passive, rural character to preserve its historical and agricultural significance while continuing to attract the campus community. However, to improve safety for joggers and pedestrians, a sidewalk should be added along St. Mary’s Road and Goodwin Avenue, leading to a proposed gathering plaza at the Round Barns entrance.
Prototype Project Implementation: Kirby Ave. from S. Oak to S. First Street
The fencing and brick pillars at Grange Grove should continue along Kirby Avenue, wrapping the corners of Stadium Terrace at S. Oak Street to formalize its place within the campus experience. This will extend the visual indicators of Grange Grove and create more defined entry points.
A sculptural “I” at the center entry of Stadium Terrace should be considered to reinforce the area as a gathering space on game days. Providing passive recreation programming at Stadium Terrace would ensure accessibility for the campus community at all times. Additionally, goals for disc golf should be included to meet the demand for a dedicated space for this activity on campus.
A linear rain garden along the north edge of parking lot E-14 will provide rainwater management and enhance the walking experience in this corridor. Since many students’ first impression of campus comes from parking and walking here, improvements are essential.
Large parking lots, including E-14 and the State Farm Center lot, should transition to permeable surfaces when repaving is required, using permeable pavers or asphalt. Additional parking islands with trees and bioretention should also be incorporated.
Engineered soils should be used where possible within Stadium Terrace to improve infiltration. A substantial tree canopy should be added to create a shaded, comfortable space when not in use for tailgating.
iCAP Goal Contribution
Increases pollinator-friendly planting by 11,000 sq. ft.
The proposed program and composition of the combined prototype along Kirby Avenue treats approximately 185,600 cubic feet of rainwater through approximately 155,000 sq. ft. of permeable paving.
Increases tree canopy by 174,240 sq. ft.
Prototype Project Implementation: Kirby Ave at Memorial Stadium (Illini Plaza)
The mid-block crossings east of S. First Street along Kirby Avenue should be consolidated into a single prominent crossing when redevelopment occurs on the south side of Memorial Stadium. This new pedestrian crossing from the State Farm Center parking lot will be used on game days when this block of Kirby Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic, creating a safer and more visually appealing entry into Memorial Stadium. The proposed solution includes transforming the crossing area into a “pedestrian plaza” and narrowing the crossing distance. Future planning for this improvement should be coordinated with DIA planning.
The South Quad District is a pedestrian-oriented area with open lawns and walkways framed by large canopy trees, historically tied to the university’s agricultural legacy. The Campus Master Plan envisions significant infill development, reducing surface parking and reinforcing the quad framework by adding a new quad south of the ACES Library. Efforts to simplify the plant palette with native species have been limited. Limited application of this approach occurs currently, with the majority implemented at the Red Oak Rain Garden, Illinois Street Residence Hall, and the Siebel Center for Design.
Student feedback highlights a need for more trees, shade, and gathering spaces along the linear walkway located south of, and parallel to, W. Gregory Drive, which is a major connector of the residence halls to the east such as Florida Avenue Residence Halls, Lincoln Avenue Residence Halls, Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Halls and Allen Hall to the core of campus.
The prototype project for the South Quad District aims to address challenges by enhancing connectivity, ecological assets, and providing additional gathering and learning spaces. It proposes linking key areas like the Red Oak Rain Garden, Dorner Pond, and Illini Grove through rain gardens, native plantings, and plazas to create a network of “eco-assets.”
A new sidewalk into Illini Grove will improve accessibility, while rain gardens and bioretention areas will reduce impermeable surfaces and support native pollinators, while reinforcing the Indigenous Midwest landscape across campus. Additionally, the plan recommends replacing the Morrow Plots’ hedges with a metal fence and a brick wall to improve maintenance and align with the campus aesthetic.
iCAP Goal Contribution
Increases pollinator-friendly planting by 75,000 sq. ft.
Implementation of green stormwater strategies though approximately 96,000 sq. ft. (surface area) of bioretention and 66,000 sq. ft. of permeable paving treating approximately 102,000 cubic feet or 2.34 acre feet of rainwater.
Increases tree canopy by 71,400 sq. ft.
Prototype Project Implementation
A living laboratory is proposed near the Plant Sciences Laboratory to demonstrate rainwater collection and reuse, supporting research and sustainability efforts. This project includes a new quad south of the ACES Library, enhanced outdoor gathering spaces, and rain gardens that capture runoff for potential use in greenhouses.
Additional sustainability initiatives include increased tree canopy to reduce the heat island effect and small-scale solar canopies to test emerging green technologies. New plaza spaces encourage gathering and interaction, demonstrating application of the goal to maximize innovation potential within the campus landscape by creating opportunities for idea-sharing. These spaces should be fit with Wi-Fi hubs and power outlets to further meet the needs expressed by the campus community.
Implementation within this district should include outreach and engagement with interested programs within the College of Fine and Applied Arts and the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences that are located within the district. Programs of related disciplines might include landscape architecture, sustainable design, architecture, horticulture, natural resources and environmental sciences.
The Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP) is a vision for a greener, more resilient campus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Shaped by public input, it aims to create multi-functional outdoor spaces that not only foster collaboration, celebration, and gathering but are also welcoming, safe, and easy to maintain.
The plan focuses on sustainability, preserving the university’s history, supporting biodiversity, and helping Illinois meet its Climate Leadership Commitments. It also seeks to define and strengthen the university’s identity.
The CLMP will also provide greater specificity for the future actions that will shape landscape aesthetics, functionality, legacy, and best management practices by:
Contributing to carbon neutrality efforts
Developing more living learning laboratory experiences
Creating outdoor gathering areas
Enhancing passive recreation
Managing storm-water and green infrastructure
Supporting pollinators
Expanding community health and wellness resources
Building greater resilience to climate change
Achieving this vision will take decades of phased investments. The CLMP suggests campus-wide exterior improvements, including updates to key areas, like the Main Quad and Military Axis, pending approval before projects begin. It also proposes policy and funding changes, such as hiring more maintenance staff, training, and developing new funding strategies to ensure long-term success and sustainable implementation.
Setting Goals
There are 14 goals to the plan:
Care for historic assets and invest in the existing landscape
Reflect the indigenous Midwest across all campus landscapes
Maximize innovation potential within the campus landscape
Create more opportunities for mental health and well-being areas on campus
Connect campus to the larger ecological context
Position the landscape as a living laboratory
Celebrate the culture, achievements and interests of current and past students
Create a clear path to landscape investment for the next 50-75 years
Reinforce the campus brand
Apply a universal design approach to all campus landscape spaces
Elevate maintenance capabilities
Highlight sustainability as a core value of the university landscape
Become a world leader in rainwater management
Increase tree canopy across campus
Prototype Projects and Sustainability Goals
The Campus Master Plan (CMP) defines 11 districts across the campus to serve as a framework for planning purposes. The Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP) also sets goals and strategies for the entire campus landscape while using the district framework to guide specific areas.
Within each district, the CLMP showcases landscape goals and strategies through a prototype project. These projects are selected for their ability to meet visionary goals and address stakeholder concerns and aspirations. The prototype projects range in terms of priority for implementation.
A 13-member Core Planning Committee, with input from stakeholders, developed eight core principles for the CLMP. The Campus Landscape Master Plan will be deemed successful if it defines a shared vision for a sustainable campus landscape, honors the legacy of the historic landscape design, and implements strategies that value rainwater as a precious resource, amongst other principles.
Interviews with 106 participants highlighted the critical role of campus landscape in Illinois’ success, influencing student decisions, mental health, and sustainability goals. Priorities included fixing maintenance issues, creating sustainable spaces, and designing outdoor areas that support gathering, studying, and technology integration to enhance campus functionality and appeal.
A District-Based Approach
The CLMP is organized into 11 districts, each designed to address specific campus needs and guide future development. These 11 districts include:
Main Quad
South Quad
Engineering Quad
Urban Campus
Urban Town/Gown
Arts Quad
Ikenberry Quad
Athletics
Research Park
Agriculture
Industrial
The CLMP establishes goals for campus evolution, sustainability, and innovation based on prior planning and stakeholder input. Achieving these requires changes in practices, funding, and staffing.
There are 14 landscape goals, including caring for historic assets, investing in the existing landscape, reflecting the Indigenous Midwest across all campus landscapes, and creating more opportunities for mental health and well-being on campus, among others.
Advancing Sustainability Through Campus Landscaping
The landscape goals reflect the values of the campus community and guide future development. Prototype projects show how these goals are applied in specific areas, but all campus landscapes should integrate these values long-term.
The prototype projects were chosen to support key goals like sustainability, honoring history, and promoting mental health. They are conceptual and will go through a formal design process before implementation, with a focus on enhancing existing campus assets and creating a cohesive campus environment.
To better understand the impacts of the proposed prototypes and their ability to achieve the iCAP targets, the following metrics were estimated. These are intended to provide a high-level estimate of the impacts of the recommendations.
Rainwater Storage: The prototypes will treat approximately 18.62 acre-feet of water through permeable pavers and bioretention areas.
Tree Canopy: The campus aims to add 3,070 trees by 2030, with 2,000 coming from the prototypes.
Pollinator Planting: The prototypes will add 4.2 acres of pollinator-friendly landscaping, increasing the area by 20%.
The Campus Landscape Master Plan represents a bold vision for the future of the University, one that integrates sustainability, historical preservation, and community well-being. By focusing on long-term goals and phased improvements, this plan aims to create a campus environment that is not only beautiful and functional but also resilient and forward-thinking.
The CLMP ensures that future generations of students, faculty, and visitors experience a campus that fosters growth, collaboration, and connection with nature.
By Jalynn Bugaj Customer Relations & Communications intern
At Facilities & Services, we keep things running by staying sharp, safe, and ready for anything!
Training is important for the shops and trades because it not only enhances skills, but helps to improve safety, and keep teams up to date with the best practices. Training ensures that operations run smoothly and effectively.
Ask the grounds workers, refrigeration mechanics, or the electricians! After going through training recently, these shops are equipped for tackling any challenge that comes their way.
Refrigeration Mechanics: Unlocking New Skills
Kody Egolf, pipefitter foreperson, explains that “training is very important not just for our trade, but for the knowledge we gain and the safety of everyone here at the University.”
The mechanics have participated in multiple training sessions, including:
ClimaCool heat recovery chiller training
AL2 refrigerant training
LG variable refrigerant flow systems (VRFs) training
Grainger training
Illinois supervisory skills training
HR series training
The goal of the ClimaCool heat recovery chiller training was to gain knowledge about the new equipment, which has been increasingly used for heating and cooling buildings at the University of Illinois. Two members of the shop were selected for this four-day training due to their active involvement with the heat recovery chillers on campus.
During the training, participants engaged in both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. They learned about the operation of the chillers and participated in practical sessions where they opened the units, connected computers for startup and setup procedures, and diagnosed issues.
“This training has been beneficial to us from the day the two individuals returned from it,” said Egolf.
Safety and Skills Training for Electricians
Todd Woods, electrician foreperson, encourages all members of the shop to participate in supervisory training. “Safety is a priority in our shop, and we want everyone to go home healthy. Our field is constantly evolving, and we want our crews to be up to date on the latest technologies,” said Woods.
The electricians have undergone training in safety, new technologies, and supervisory skills. The electric shop offers specific training associated with their line of work, including arc flash, lockout/tagout, and lighting controls. Safety and ethics training is conducted online, while specialty training is typically delivered in person by an external professional.
“Training is required to improve our interactions with everyone on campus and make sure we are doing things ethically,” said Woods.
Enhancing Expertise in Grounds Training
The grounds training covers a range of skills and knowledge areas, focusing on refining core techniques and introducing newer technologies relevant to their work. This includes both basic and advanced skills for landscape management, as well as more specific techniques in areas like irrigation, equipment handling, and sustainable practices.
The grounds workers have participated in multiple sessions and conferences, including:
Grainger learning
Annual USUB (upgrade subforeperson) training
Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)
APPA
Big Ten Landscape Architects and Grounds Managers Conference
The training is a department-wide initiative tailored to different roles and teams. While some sessions are broad, covering essential skills for everyone, others are more specialized, aimed at specific teams or roles within Grounds. The shop utilizes a combination of hands-on, in-field workshops and classroom-based learning. The sessions are led by a mix of internal experts from F&S, senior Grounds staff, and external professionals.
“The goal is to enhance operational efficiency and ensure all team members are up to date with the latest industry practices and safety standards. We also want to boost overall proficiency in both day-to-day tasks and more advanced techniques, fostering a stronger, more capable workforce,” said grounds foreperson, Isaac Williams.
Most recently, the tree crew took part in a specialized arborist rescue training. The program included two hours of classroom instruction, followed by three hours of hands-on, in-field exercises. This training equipped the crew with critical skills for safely performing aerial rescues, ensuring they are prepared to respond effectively in emergencies involving tree workers.
Crucial Conversations Training
F&S Employees were invited to a unique two-day training event titled Crucial Conversations, designed to unlock the power of effective dialogue and enhance influence as a communicator.
Course Overview: “The communication skills we teach focus on a specific kind of interaction: those when stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. Ours is not a course on winning friends or winning people to your way of thinking; it’s about strengthening relationships and securing results in the moments that matter most.”
Trainees learned nine powerful skills for working through disagreement to achieve better results, including strategies like looking for mutual purpose, exploring others’ paths, and more.
When the Marching Illini step off for their new tunnel entrance at the start of pregame, Illinois football fans feel the excitement build in Memorial Stadium. The sights and sounds of the band, the cheerleaders, the team, even the fans themselves, all play an integral role in the enjoyment of a football game. But the unsung heroes of the day are those working behind the scenes—the ones who make sure everything runs smoothly.
By the time the sun rises on a football Saturday, some of the work is already done. Dan Hiser, automotive subforeperson, explains that a “transportation driver and laborer service all the surrounding sewer lines in preparation for high volume, [and] two transportation drivers service all of the waste containers in and around stadium lots prior to game day.”
Meanwhile, construction laborers also contribute by providing barricades and signs as needed. In addition to making sure the crowds are corralled and have unfettered access to restroom facilities, F&S also makes sure that they can stay cool. Refrigeration Mechanics Foreperson Casey Pellum says his shop works throughout the week of the game “to check coolers and ice machines to make sure they are in good working order.” This is all completed before the Grange Grove tailgating even really gets rolling.
The work continues into game day. Sports fans using elevators at Memorial Stadium needn’t worry about being stuck. Vince Schaub, elevator mechanics foreperson, notes “we have a person there at the stadium four hours before the game and an hour after.” Being onsite means in the rare instance that an elevator breaks down, someone is right there to fix it.
Plumber Josh Hale works all the football home games. He arrives a couple of hours before the game and stays about the same length after the game ends, ready to fix any leaks or problems that crop up. Plumbers may have additional work as well. For example, they work with the water station staff to dye the Hallene Gateway fountain orange for Homecoming week—a tradition that began in 2017 to welcome Illini alums at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.
For game days, electricians and high voltage electricians provide temporary power to tailgate events, and in the case of Homecoming, they also supply sound support for departmental events. Also on standby during football games are a transportation driver and laborer. If the crowds’ bathroom use causes a sewer line to back up, they run the line to open it again. Transportation is on call with the operating engineers as well to “tail-gate rock as needed” in all the lots around the stadium in the event of rain, Hiser said. In this process, the truck bed is elevated and the rear gate is chained to allow a small opening. The driver moves forward, spreading an even rock layer; the rock helps cars find traction on soggy lanes.
Whether the Illini win or lose, F&S still has more work to do after the game. Four transportation drivers, in conjunction with stadium staff, remove trash inside the stadium, outside the stadium, and in all the tailgate lots. Grounds staff also run a Sunday garbage collection route after game days. And lest you think all that trash goes to the landfill, F&S is greener than that: the Waste Transfer Station reopens on Sunday, with help from the Developmental Services Center, to sort all the valuable recycling from the trash.
The work may not end there, however. If there’s a home game the following weekend, F&S staff just rinse and repeat. While fans are singing “Hail to the Orange, Hail to the Blue” in the stadium, most are likely oblivious to the amount of work that goes on before, during, and after to make their game day experience uneventful off the field. But those in the know can be certain that F&S has racked up another victory with their contributions to game day operations.
Go Illini, go!
Summer Construction 2024
FIRST FLOOR EAST JOINT EXPANSION REPLACEMENT AND EAST RAMP PAINTING
This project included the prep and painting of exposed structural steel on the east side of Memorial Stadium, including all steel associated with interior ramps between grandstand and the east main concourse and all exposed steel under the upper east balcony.
In addition, this project removed the existing expansion joints in the precast concrete stands of the east side grandstand and balcony and installed new expansion joint material. This process required temporary removal and reinstallation of the metal bench seating to facilitate access to the expansion joints.
SOUTH RESTROOM AND CONCOURSE RENOVATIONS
Facility improvements at Memorial Stadium renovated restrooms, including partitions, fixtures, selected plumbing, finishes, and other related upgrades, on the south side of the facility. The project included renovating the concourse areas on the south side of the stadium, including lighting, painting, graphics, and other related improvements. Horseshoe renovations feature updated restrooms and provide the game day patrons a modernized and improved experience in the south concourse.
HVAC REPLACEMENT AT FICE AND NE TOWER ROOF REPLACEMENT
The HVAC system on the northeast side of Memorial Stadium was replaced to improve climate control and energy management in associated spaces. The roof in the area above occupied academic and office space on the second floor of Fighting Illini Center for Excellence (FICE) was also be removed and replaced with a new system. The existing copings, flashings, and insulation were removed and replaced. A new lightning protection system was installed as a part of this work.
EXTERIOR STONE AND MASONRY CLEANING
This project cleaned Memorial Stadium’s stone to restore it to its original color. The work helped restore the outside of the facility ahead of the 100-year anniversary celebration.
WEST PARAPET REPLACEMENT
This project removed and replaced the existing west brick and stone parapet wall on the sixth floor of Memorial Stadium. The work included the salvaging and cleaning of the existing stone and the installation of matching brick with appropriate through wall flashings and control joints.
UPPER EAST RESTROOM PARTITIONS AND FLOOR
The east balcony restrooms at Memorial Stadium were enhanced with new partitions, plumbing fixtures, and epoxy flooring.
For the Fans!
A couple of pipefitters and plumbing projects improved Memorial Stadium in 2023.
On the east side: the upper stands received new plumbing lines, new restroom sinks and stalls, and improved hot water systems. A couple of bright orange water stations dot the east, too, perfect for refillable containers.
Plumbers foreperson Matt Faulkner detailed the changes:
“A lot of the fixtures were mismatched from installations made through the years – we used what we could over the years. This time though, we were able to replace all of the toilets, flushometers, lavatories and faucets throughout the lower east side.”
“There will be water usage savings,” Faulkner said. “Some of the older toilets were 3.5 gallons per flush, but we reduced all of the toilets to 1.28 gallons per flush. We installed water heaters for each of the restrooms on the lower east side. The new Chicago faucets are metered, which means they shut off after a certain amount of time, usually less than a minute. This will help with maintenance also, less inventory to carry, more efficient repairs.”
When you’re at a game and you think you should leave (2023), you’ll find:
74 New Toilets 74 New Toilet Flush Valves 74 New Toilet Seats 56 New Urinals 56 New Urinal Flush Valves 20 New Lavatories 20 New Chicago Metered Faucets 20 Point of Use Mixing Valves 8 New 30-Gallon Water Heaters 2 New Drinking Fountain Water Stations
“If you know children, trucks are a huge interest of young children in the age we serve at CDL (6 weeks to 5 years),” said Molly Harmon, child development coordinator at CDL. “We wanted to create a hands-on experience for our children and families to explore a variety of trucks that they see often throughout the community.”
F&S’ Shawn Patterson, associate director of fleet services, and Andrew Moore, operating engineers foreperson, arranged to get eight utility trucks and massive earth-movers for about 140 kids to explore; plus family members and daycare specialists. Vehicles operated by grounds, electricians, operating engineers, and the waste transfer station were on the scene.
The children sat in the bucket of a front-loader, safely climbed in and out of drivers seats, and tried on hard hats and reflective vests.
A U. of I. Police Department officer, Michael Mitrou was present, as well, with his K9 Rosie, and the College of ACES provided a ninth vehicle.
“I cannot thank F&S enough for all the effort they put in to making this event a success,” Harmon said. “From the moment that I had the idea to create this event until the end of the event, F&S employees helped me plan and organize this event to be sure that I had a safe area to set up and get a fun variety of trucks. Shawn and Andrew even stayed the whole time to help educate the children about the trucks and helped them explore the many buttons and horns on the trucks. We cannot wait to collaborate with them again!”
By Jalynn Bugaj F&S customer relations & communications intern
The Pleistocene Garden: Recreating History
The mammoth sculpture, located south of the Natural History Building (NHB), and near the Main Quad where its ancestors wandered 30,000 years prior, finds itself amongst some new additions. The new thoughtfully curated landscape not only enhances the area but offers homage to the mammoth’s past.
The landscaping concept, termed a “Pleistocene Garden” by Stephen Marshak, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change, features plants from the central Illinois landscape around 30,000 years ago, predating Illinois’ earliest human inhabitants, between the Illinoian glaciation and the Wisconsin glaciation.
Marshak, assisted by Professor Sarangi Punyasena from the Department of Plant Biology at the Illinois State Museum, curated a list of appropriate plant types. Brent Lewis, the University Landscape Architect, then made the final selections, considering plants capable of thriving in today’s climate. Subsequently, Lewis designed the landscaping to authentically depict the mammoth’s historical environment.
Many plant species originally native to Illinois would no longer be suitable in the current climate. However, several species remain native to Illinois or can thrive in the area. Native plants still found include Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aromatic Aster), Liatris pychnostachya (Prairie Blazing Star), Liatris spicata (Dense Blazing Star), Juniperus communis (common juniper), Carex emoryi (Emory’s sedge), Carex vulpinoidea (Fox sedge), Carex brevior (shorbeak sedge), and Dasiphora fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil).
Among the species listed above, some are native only to Illinois, while others are native to both Illinois and Champaign County. For example, common juniper is still native to Illinois but primarily in the northern regions around Lake Michigan.
Larix decidua (European Larch) is no longer native to Illinois but can grow here without complications. The NHB faculty suggested using Spruce, as it was a major plant during the Pleistocene era. However, Spruce is no longer native, struggling with the warmer climate and disease issues.
Aspen trees also no longer grow in Illinois and are short lived if planted here. For a similar aesthetic, Betula Nigra ‘Cully’ (Heritage River Birch), which is native and nearly identical in appearance, was chosen instead. Potentilla neumanniana, though native to the north of the Great Lakes, is related to Dasiphora fruticosa and adds to the richness of the site with its distinctive looking shrub.
Glacial Erratics and Geological Significance
A brown colored stone was installed for the pathway, resembling packed soil rather than a concrete walk. The pathway allows for pedestrian access and meets ADA guidelines. A glacial erratic boulder was used as a makeshift bench to blend in with the overall design.
The glacial erratics are a key aspect of the Pleistocene Garden. These boulders were transported by glaciers during the Illinoisan Glaciation, which concluded approximately 130,000 years ago. They were carried from outcrops located in Wisconsin or even farther north in Canada.
When selecting boulders from a local stone yard, the goal was to find a diverse assortment that included several types for added interest. Among them are metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks. This selection not only enhances visual appeal but also serves educational purposes for geology students. Marshak anticipates that over time, these rocks will settle into the landscaping.
“An important point about the land surface on which a mammoth would really have stood is when the Wisconsin glaciers arrived in central Illinois, about 20,000 years ago, they deposited a thick layer of new glacial sediment. So, the land surface that a mammoth could have stood on is now maybe sixty-five feet under the present-day land surface,” said Marshak.
The Mammoth Sculpture: Iconic Campus Addition
Regarding the 12-foot-tall mammoth sculpture, the response from the university’s students, faculty, and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. “People were lined up to take photos during graduation week,” noted Lewis. “As a new icon on campus, you just can’t miss it.’
University-goers adore the aesthetic addition, with some even wanting to make the mammoth the university’s new mascot. One person or group dressed the sculpture for the holidays, following the tradition of the Alma Mater statue. However, unlike the Alma Mater, the materials of the mammoth sculpture are not as robust and can be easily damaged. Campus has decided not to allow any adornment of the sculpture at this time.
In its natural state, our new mammoth plaza is truly a unique place on campus. Make sure to walk through and see what Illinois might have looked like when these animals roamed here.
The national holiday Arbor Day was April 28, 2023; locally, it was easily seen on the University of Illinois Main Quad that day.
To celebrate, F&S helped plant and honor a new horizon elm tree just west of Davenport Hall.
Campus tree and sustainability experts spoke, including Brent Lewis, university landscape architect, and Morgan White, associate director of sustainability; Mike DeLorenzo, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Operations, recited a Proclamation from the Cities of Champaign and Urbana and Village of Savoy, and Chancellor Robert Jones. In it, April 28, 2023 was recognized as Arbor Day and encouraged the public to plant a tree or participate in educational programs to learn more about trees and the holiday.
Since 2015, UIUC has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA. The large and diverse collection of trees on campus is a valuable resource to Illinois. An urban forest improves air quality, provides a shady place to study, sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, and creates a habitat for diverse species.
Morgan White, F&S associate director of sustainability, noted another importance: in the ground.
“You can read the words on Davenport Hall itself about the importance of the ground we inhabit, disturb, and develop: trees make for more resilient and robust soil and groundwater systems,” White said.
Up there, on the southeast side of the building, facing the Main Quad, a quote from a former UI President.
The Wealth of Illinois is in her soil and her strength lies in its intelligent development.
Andrew Sloan Draper, President of the University of Illinois (1898-1904).
Students and volunteers with campus sustainability efforts, including the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) and Red Oak Rain Garden were on-hand, and ran a vote for the best tree on campus. Five finalists were selected by students, faculty, and staff in preceding weeks: the Red Oak Rain Garden sister trees, a sugar maple near the Main Quad, a ginko near the National Soybean Research Laboratory, the Carolina silverbell on the grounds of the President’s House, and a black walnut on south campus.
In the end, the twin trees at the Red Oak Rain Garden, an American sycamore and a northern red oak, were declared the winners! The Carolina silverbell took second.
Mounds of Mulch
During the voting period, attendees–and anyone walking by between classes–could scoop some mulch from an F&S Grounds truck and distribute it at the tree planting site. Thanks for helping!
Guided Quad Tree Walk with Brent Lewis, F&S landscape architect
After the celebration, Lewis led a tree walk of notable Main Quad trees. Let’s go!
