Funds Will Create Jobs; Renovate Existing Building to Finish One of the Midwest's Top Higher Education Science Facilities
EDWARDSVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by local and university officials to announce an Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program investment of $23 million to complete the Science Building at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The funds will completely renovate an existing building, and along with a brand-new, already finished facility will complete one of the Midwest's top higher education science centers. The Science Building project advances Governor Quinn's agenda to give every child the opportunity for a high-quality education, while creating jobs to drive Illinois' economy forward.
"This building will keep SIUE at the forefront of science education and offer students even better training for careers in the sciences," Governor Quinn said. "Numerous construction jobs will be created on this project, which will boost local economic growth."
The $23 million project will involve renovating and reconfiguring approximately 80,000 square feet in the existing Science Laboratory for offices, classrooms and laboratories, including upgrading the climate control, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems and replacing the existing windows with more energy-efficient designs. The construction project will be overseen by the Illinois Capital Development Board, with construction bids to be sought in the near future.
"In addition to the construction of the new science building, the renovation of the existing structure with updated classrooms and office space will ensure that SIUE remains on the cutting edge of science research and education," SIUE President Glenn Poshard said. "We appreciate the Governor releasing these funds."
The $23 million renovation will complement the already completed, $52 million, 107,000-square-foot new facility, which boasts classrooms and laboratories in a state-of-the-art learning environment. The new building uses the latest energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly building technology, and the renovated building will use many of these features as well.
Both SIUE projects are part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 400,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.
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