Construction Begins on $45 million Distribution Center at Olive Harvey College
The Olive-Harvey College campus is getting a new $45 million Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) Center.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Cheryl Hyman for the recent ground breaking on the first of its kind facility in Illinois that is expected to prepare students for the more than 110,000 TDL jobs coming to the region over the next decade.
“This new facility will supplement Olive-Harvey College’s transportation, distribution, and logistics-focused curriculum to prepare students for a career in an in-demand, high growth industry,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said about the new facility. “This is the latest example of how City Colleges is aligning students directly with 21st century jobs, since a quality education is the most important stepping stone when moving up the economic ladder.”
Part of City Colleges’ five-year $524 million capital plan that will invest across the seven-college system, the Olive-Harvey expansion project is funded in part by $31.6 million from the State of Illinois and $13.2 million from City Colleges and is being administered by the Illinois Capital Development Board, which oversees state-funded, non-road construction projects.
“The TDL Center will employ numerous skilled laborers during construction and prepare thousands of students for high paying, in-demand careers once it is complete,” Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said. “In addition, we will seek a LEED Silver designation for the center, which is a testament to the building’s energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly design.”
Part of the capital investment plan is also financed by $250 million in tax-exempt bonds.
Scheduled to open in 2015, the 103,000 square-foot facility is being designed with input from City Colleges’ College to Careers faculty and industry partners.
“This facility will be the premier training ground for Chicagoans interested in pursuing a vast and diverse array of careers in transportation, distribution and logistics,” said Chancellor Cheryl Hyman. “With the assistance of our industry partners, we are working to make sure City Colleges students learn from experts using the most relevant technology in real-world scenarios so they are able to seize these opportunities.”
Of the 150 jobs created through the TDL Center project, 20 construction positions are designated for qualified applicants from the communities surrounding Olive-Harvey College, including residents living in Wards 8 and 10.
Seats are reserved for qualified residents without prior training in a special construction-training program offered at City Colleges’ Dawson Technical Institute and ten scholarships have been awarded. Applicants are still encouraged to apply.
The facility will include automotive and diesel engine laboratories, an engine dynamometer, classrooms, simulated driving facilities, a testing center and vehicle bays, among other features.
“The central store will provide a practical, real-world training ground for students by integrating operations with the curriculum by teaching students how to take orders, how to fill them, and how to do so in a timely manner,” Hyman said. “Our students will learn the key concepts of logistics and supply chain management needs in an organization that is the largest community college system in the state with thousands of employees and students.”
FGM Architects and construction manager Gilbane Building Company have been contracted for the project. Demolition of temporary buildings on the construction site was completed earlier this year.
Current TDL programs at City Colleges include logistics (including warehousing and supply chain management), commercial driver training, forklift, automotive technology and public chauffeur courses (taxi and limousine).
A brand-new TDL pathway begins with an adult education bridge program and includes basic and advanced certification and an associate degree.
Designed with input from College to Careers industry partners, the pathway allows students to return to the classroom to advance their education and career without credit loss, and articulates to bachelor degree programs.
For information about construction jobs, please call 773-916-6001.
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