Loyola Makes Steady Progress on University Construction

Loyola contractors engaged this summer in numerous construction projects at both the Water Tower and Lake Shore Campuses ranging from demolition to restoration and renovation, some of which have been in the works since March.

Although the construction has mostly stayed on schedule, some projects, such as the demolition of Centennial Forum have experienced delays.

Renovations to Simpson Dining Hall were completed in August, according to Kana Henning, vice president of facilities.

Machinery upgrades included new cooling units under serving stations and a new dishwasher. Additional furniture was added to the dining area to allow for a more dynamic seating arrangement, and graphics representing the campus community were placed on the dishwashing carousel walls according to Loyola’s Facilities website. 

The site of the Centennial Forum, which was demolished starting May 13, was originally scheduled to be repurposed into a greenspace by Oct. 9. The worksite, located on the west side of Mertz Hall, remains occupied by rubble and construction vehicles and now has an expected completion date of Oct. 31, according to Loyola’s Facilities’ website.

Before construction, Mertz Hall residents could enter using two entrances located either on the north and south side of the building. Now, residents are limited to one entrance located on the north side of the building. Those seeking entry must first climb two flights of stairs, with the only ramp attached to the building located on the south side where residents are restricted from entering, according to Savannah Cantrelo — a first-year multimedia journalism student and Mertz Hall resident. 

Cantrelo said she struggles living in Mertz Hall because of knee issues.

Using a ramp instead of the stairs would serve as a potential solution to the problems, but the restrictions resulting from the construction inhibit accessibility, Cantrelo said.

The Student Accessibility Center declined to comment on the potential impacts of the construction.

Dumbach Hall had its roof replaced over the summer. The project began May 13 and was completed on time, with the building reopening Aug. 25, according to the Facilities website.

Over the summer, construction for the Elevator Modernization Program began. The program is intended to upgrade outdated elevators in order to maximize efficiency, according to Henning.

On multiple occasions, including in September 2022 and in January 2023, elevators in Mertz Hall and the Mundelein Center broke down, The Phoenix previously reported. 

The Elevator Modernization Program aims to alleviate past issues and revamp old technologies used in elevator cars in buildings such as BVM Hall, Mertz Hall and the Mundelein Center on the Lake Shore Campus. Also included are Baumhart Hall and Lewis Towers on the Water Tower Campus and the Cuneo Center on the Health Sciences Campus according to the Facilities’ website.

Camila Perez Medrano — a first-year biology student and 19th floor Mertz Hall resident — said she had a poor experience which caused her to question the efficacy of the modernization attempts.

Perez Medrano said as she boarded the elevator Aug. 28, the doors closed quickly, preventing her roommate from joining. The car then descended one level to the 18th floor where it stopped prematurely, she said. Perez Medrano said the situation took 20 minutes to resolve, and Campus Safety was called for assistance.

Campus Safety didn’t respond to requests for comment on the situation.

So far, the only elevator within Mertz Hall which has been modernized is the freight car, which students cannot access, according to the Facilities website. Perez Medrano said she believes the modernization program should be focused on areas with a direct impact on students before expanding. 

Some students have experienced troubles with the Mundelein elevators as well.

Annie Campau, a second-year nursing student, has extensive experience dealing with elevator backups in Mundelein Center. On busy days, it can take up to 10 minutes to get on an elevator, according to Campau.

“So many people rely on the elevators,” Campau said. “Some of my friends refuse to take the stairs. I think the [Elevator Modernization] program is definitely needed especially because if an elevator breaks, you’re kind of screwed.” 

Henning, vice president of facilities, said her role has allowed her to stay informed on the progress made on construction projects that make up the Campus Plan which was announced Sep. 4 in the Loyola News. 

The Campus Plan serves as a projection for the next 10 years of project development at Loyola, The Phoenix reported. Developers of the plan have stayed on track to complete the remaining projects outlined in the plan by the dates listed on the Facilities website, according to Henning. 

As the space left by the demolished Centennial Forum is eventually repurposed, renovations to the Mullady Theater — located under Mertz — will allow for new athletic spaces to be built. A rendering of a facility for men’s and women’s golf and women’s softball in Mullady Theater is included in the Campus Plan. The Facilities website indicates the renovation is scheduled for completion in May 2025.

Renovations are also being made at the Water Tower Campus. The School of Social Work will house the Water Tower Campus’ first simulation space including one family room, nine interview rooms and debriefing rooms, according to the SSW Simulation Lab project website.

Students and educators alike will be able to utilize these spaces to replicate real-life scenarios from their respective fields in virtual or in-person formats. The structural buildout for the project was completed in August with furniture and further upgrades to come at a later date, according to the Facilities website.

Between May 2024 and May 2025, the Mundelein Center is undergoing a revitalization to spaces used by the nursing and photography programs, according to Henning.

The Department of Fine and Performing Arts will gain a new digital photography studio from the conversion of a typical 750 square foot Mundelein classroom, according to the Facilities website.

Upon completion, the studio will include lighting controls, audio-capturing technology and acoustic panels. The changes allow for photography classes to be moved to the center of the DFPA program in Mundelein after an extended stay in the Crown Center, according to the Facilities website.

Additionally, the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing will receive similar upgrades on the third floor of Mundelein. The converted classrooms will feature new simulation labs, complete with a control room, simulation lab and debriefing room. The School of Nursing will also implement virtual reality clinical simulations, of which students can attribute up to 25% of their clinical experience according to the Facilities website.