Governor Quinn Announces $4.6 Million Structural Work for New Olive Harvey College Building

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment of $4.6 million for structural work on the new $44.8 million Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) Center at Olive Harvey College. Funded primarily by his Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, the project is part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to creating jobs and driving Illinois’ economy forward.

“The TDL Center will train students for in-demand careers in these key industries,” Governor Quinn said. “The new facility will add classroom and hands-on training space while creating more than 400 construction jobs.”

The structural work involves precast concrete wall panels, structural steel, metal decking, and related work. Barton Malow Company of Chicago was the lowest of three bidders for the project with a quote of $4,674,000. The construction is being managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board.

The $3.2 million site preparation work for the TDL Center is nearly complete. The $4.6 million structural work announced today is the next phase, which will be followed by bids for the remainder of the construction work in mid 2014. The $44.8 million TDL Center is being funded with $30.6 million from Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, $13.2 million from the City Colleges of Chicago and $1 million from the Illinois Community College Board’s Temporary Facility Replacement Program. A LEED Silver designation will be sought for the center, which is a testament to the building’s energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly design.

The 130,000-square-foot TDL Center will include classrooms with curriculum-driven technology and space for automotive technology and training, collision repair, diesel engine technology and aviation mechanics. It will also feature a supply chain management area, which will include large warehouse and distribution simulation labs, and taxi, truck driver and forklift training. The building is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2015.

“Investing in the construction of the new TDL Center is integral to the continued excellence of the campus community and a boon to our local economy,” State Senator Donne E. Trotter (D-Chicago) said. “But, just as crucial is the fact that with the construction of this facility also comes the assurance of a reduced environmental footprint and safer, healthier conditions for the students and faculty of Olive Harvey College.”

“I am pleased to hear that the second phase of the new Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Center at Olive Harvey College has begun, which will give area students another option when considering college,” State Representative Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) said. “This is a critical resource for the Southland that will help spur local job creation and greatly assist students looking to further their education.”

The Olive Harvey TDL Center project is part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 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.