It’s a Winner, The New Underpass at Ravinia Festival!
The new pedestrian underpass at Ravinia Festival connects the main parking lot to the entrance gate of the festival grounds under the Metra North Line rail tracks. Pedestrian traffic flow is improved, efficient and easy to use. The underpass was designed by JJR and constructed by W.B. Olson, Inc., through the winter. We utilized a top down method of construction which first requires construction of the railroad bridge allowing excavation and construction of the tunnel below. Coordination with Union Pacific Railroad was instrumental in ensuring commuter traffic on the north line was not interrupted and construction of the underpass remained on schedule. Features of the underpass include two ADA-compliant ramps that lead Ravinia patrons to a 44 foot underpass. Patrons emerge to a mirror set of ramps on the park side. Groves of birch trees line the ramps on both sides along with detailed concrete relief panels displaying the word “RAVINIA” camouflaged among images of birch trees cast into the concrete retaining walls. Bravo! Ravinia Festival.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Loder Hall The newly renovated, 4-story, 35,000 square foot facility located on the Northwestern University Campus is home to a new student center, student lounge, classrooms, state of the art kitchen and cafeteria, modern dorm rooms and guest suites. The renovation included all new building systems, finishes and envelope improvements. It is a LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Designed) building which includes geothermal heating and cooling, high solar reflective roofing materials, a green roof and many other sustainable features. Lesemann Hall In addition, Leseman Hall was renovated and is connected directly to the Garrett-Evangelical library. The building was converted into library offices, conference center and administrative offices. Leseman Hall is home to the Stead Center for Ethics and Values.
Village of Palatine - Satellite Fire Station 81 Completed in 2011
The Village of Palatine Fire Department - Fire Station 81 is a welcomed addition to the Palatine community. Fire Station 81 located at Quentin Road is strategically placed to ensure quick response to emergencies in this growing community. The newly completed, 8500 square foot fire station, includes training space, kitchen, sleeping area and 3 apparatus bays. Our preconstruction and construction services allowed the Village of Palatine to maximize their construction dollars and deliver this station on time to its community.
What’s Happening - Northwestern University Student Housing
Northwestern University continues its’ initiative to upgrade students housing options in 2011. W.B. Olson, Inc. worked with the University on several projects that included renovations at: Willard Hall – 5000 square foot dining facility renovation. New features to the space includes kitchen and dining areas, convenience store, and outdoor dining terrace: Allison Hall - 60,000 square foot 4-story complete renovation of one of the larger resident halls on campus The project includes 180 updated dorm rooms, a three bedroom faculty apartment, a resident administrator apartment, 20 person seminar room, updated residence lounge and lobby area. 1856 Orrington - First major upgrade of this 12,500 square foot, 4-story 1920 historic dormitory includes new building systems, improved life safety features, added insulation at the building envelope and renovation of sleeping rooms and common space.