Illinois State University’s Board of Trustees today authorized projects to expand facilities at the Watterson Commons Dining Center, enhance chilled water capacity on campus, and upgrade mechanical equipment in Old Union.
Board members approved funding for the construction of expanded Campus Dining Services bakery and food preparation spaces in the Watterson Commons Dining Center. The $8.5 million project will consolidate baking and centralized food preparation functions to better serve other dining facilities and catering operations on campus. Funding for the project comes from Campus Dining reserves.
A project to increase the cooling capacity of the University’s Southeast Chilled Water Plant was authorized by Board members. The installation of an additional chiller will give the plant an extra 800 tons of cooling capacity. The additional capacity will better serve the chilled water needs on the east side of campus, including the expanded operations at Watterson Commons Dining Center. The project’s approved $915,000 budget comes from Housing and Campus Dining reserve funds and general revenue operating funds.
The upgrade project in Old Union will replace aging mechanical equipment and improve the circulation of conditioned air in select locations in that building. The project includes the installation of a new heat exchanger and new air handling units, and the replacement of the existing hot water system and obsolete fire protection system. The project will also include new duct work and lighting, along with removal of asbestos-containing materials. The approved $860,000 project budget comes from general revenue operating funds.
