Campus Town Hall Discusses Repurposing and Future Developments

The Loyola Office of Neighborhood Initiatives unveiled multiple campus construction projects which will reshape several blocks near the Lake Shore Campus. Changes include the reimagining of Campion Hall as a science and nursing building, repurposing multiple buildings on the 6300 Broadway block and planning for a new Student Success Center in place of the Sullivan Center. 

The office previously held a Comprehensive Plan Kick-Off Meeting in July 2024 and a Community Outreach Meeting in December, according to their website.

Associate Vice President of Neighborhood Initiatives Jennifer Clark said in the meeting the plan to expand LSC is part of a 10-year plan to utilize lots owned by the university, with the intention of improving both student life and the community. 

1224 W. Loyola Ave. — previously home to Archie’s and the Roman Susan Art Gallery —  is set to encounter lengthy construction delays, according to Vice President of Facilities Kana Henning. While plans to develop a green space were in discussion, Chicago Transit Authority Red and Purple Line modernization caused the team to reimagine and halt plans. 

“Those plans significantly alter the property we own on the Red and Purple Line modernization, and consume much of the North side of W. Loyola Ave,” Henning said. 

The CTA’s Senior Communications representative wrote in an email to The Phoenix they had a routine meeting with representatives from Loyola University to discuss their plans for the Red Line’s Loyola Station and university’s expansion plans near the station in June. 

Due to the poor condition of the residential building on 1224 W. Loyola Ave., Henning said plans of demolition will begin in the next 30 days after the current tenants move out Sept. 30. 

The office was able to present some significant changes for the 6300 block on Broadway owned by Loyola. University Architect and Assistant Vice President of Campus Planning Patrick Brawley said the university intends on repurposing the existing 6317 N. Broadway mail facility as a student accessible research space where academic reference materials can be kept.

The planning for the new building replacing the mail facility is currently in early stages and will be completed Spring 2028 assuming things run on schedule after the current structure is demolished. Plans regarding relocation of the mail facility are on hold until further notice, according to Brawley.

Brawley said the building at 6347 N. Broadway is an adaptive reuse of an acquisition the university made in September 2024. The Office of Neighborhood Initiatives plans to reutilize the currently vacant building to bring in about five classrooms, facility services and about 50 offices to meet institutional needs. There is no set department that will use the new amenities.

The vacant building will also be an interim space for relocated programs impacted by construction, according to Brawley. He said utility cuts — which involve digging into sidewalks to connect public water, sewer and gas lines through the building — will begin in October. A brick facade replacement is planned for December while the opening and utilization is scheduled for August 2026. 

The 6341 N. Broadway retail space housing Porkchop Edgewater — which experienced a fire Aug. 30 — also altered the university’s plans on repurposing blocks of Broadway. Henning said the owners of Porkchop restaurant already had plans to vacate the property, so the university pre-existing plans to convert the property for institutional use. The property is owned by Lakeside Management.

Campion Hall will turn into a chemistry, biochemistry, forensics and nursing building, according to Brawley. He said the project is supported by a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, which will dictate the schedule of the procurement process. 

The demolition of Campion Hall will finalize sometime before Oct.1, according to Brawley. The building will be demolished once the university passes the required health inspections. 

The lot which originally belonged to Centennial Hall is currently in design to repurpose itself as a Student Success Center, but the concept would need approval from the office’s board and leadership, according to Brawley.

Originally, the school planned to install a green space in the former location of Centennial Hall, which was supposed to remain for two-to-five years until the lot could be further developed, The Phoenix previously reported. 

A Student Success Center would house first and second-year advising, provide testing accommodations, tutoring, writing and other services which support students, according to Brawley. He explained the space will ideally include offices, classrooms and auditorium spaces. 

Director of Neighborhood Initiatives for the Lake Shore and Health Science Campuses Summur Lawson said the university will also partner with the 49th Ward environmental leadership team and pollinators group to revitalize the flower beds at Sheridan Road Rogers Park sign through a maintenance agreement with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).

“It would be disappointing if that place was desolate and not planted and then you’re 20 short feet away from Loyola’s campus.” Lawson said. “It might feel like a disconnect and we heard it from the community.”

The contract will be in place until either one of them decides to end the agreement, with planting to start this fall depending on the pending timelines of CDOT efforts to navigate the irrigation system.