Chicago State West Campus Q&A
In recognition of Chicago State University (CSU) recently announcing that it will be expanding to Chicago's west side, the Chicago Citizen Newspaper recently spoke with CSU’s West Side Campus Development Project Manager, Bruce Washington, to learn more about the highly anticipated addition to CSU’s educational network.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: How long has Chicago State University been working on a west side expansion?
Bruce Washington: The vision developed in 2007 with the previous administration; there were reports and studies that were done [to] [determine] the need for the university on that side of town. The university has been actively working on it, I would say, since 2012. During that time, there was a feasibility study, site analysis and those reports were completed in 2013.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: How many students will the new campus accommodate upon completion?
Washington: With the ending of the first phase, we’re looking at a head count around 720 students.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: How soon before construction is officially underway?
Washington: We’re projecting to start construction in June 2015.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: Where is the project now in terms of construction? Are there any sites that are under consideration now?
Washington: We’re at the evaluation and selection of an architect [phase] as well as the selection of a site. We defined the site on where we want the campus to be seated. We’re looking at parcels within the boundaries of Western [Ave.] on the east, Austin on the west, Roosevelt on the south and North Ave. on the north. Initially, from our site analysis we’ve identified 23 parcels. From there, we reduced that list to 14 and from 14 we short listed it to five sites and we’re reviewing those sites now to make a determination.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: Are minority and women owned businesses being used for primary and subcontracting opportunities?
Washington: We haven’t gone there yet; we haven’t started the design for the construction documents just yet. As far as M/WBE participation, it will be done in accordance to the Illinois State Procurement code.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: Can you talk about receiving funding for construction from the Illinois State Black Caucus and how much you received?
Washington: The grant was for $40 million. The primary sponsors were Ill. State Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D- 4th) and Ill. State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-8th), in addition to that, all of the other black elected officials on the west side and west suburban area have been supportive of the project and their support has been helpful for us.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: Has Chicago State University reached out to Ill. State Sen. Kimberly Lightford or Ill. State Rep. LaShawn Ford recently concerning this project?
Washington: Oh, yes. We have established what we are calling a West Side Planning Group Committee comprised of what we are calling our stake holders. Of course, it’s members from Chicago State University but it’s also community members from the west side as well as different community organizations.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: At these meetings, has there been community feedback on where they would like the campus and also other inputs?
Washington: Not only is there community feedback on site selection, where would be the best area, the best location, but also we talk about the academics, what kind of programs, we would like to have.
Chicago Citizen Newspaper: Are there any estimates as to how many faculty/staff will be necessary to the west side campus and are you currently looking for applicants?
Washington: No, we have not started looking for applicants. However, it has been identified for the number of programs that I’ve talked about [the number] of professors and staffing that would be needed for those programs.
For more information about Chicago State University’s west side campus, visit www.csu.edu.
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