With major upgrades coming to Memorial Stadium, the University of Illinois is expected to award the project’s design contract to HNTB.
The University of Illinois is moving forward with plans to renovate Memorial Stadium in a two-phase, $132 million project. Upgrades will be focused on the south end–where a new football headquarters and scoreboard will be constructed–as well as the east end, where changes are expected to take place with the concourse and seating.
With the current timeline calling for work on the south end–which represents the first phase in the project–to be completed by the 2019 season, university officials are trying to put together the pieces of the final plan. One of the key elements is the design firm, as HNTB has been recommended to receive a preliminary $2.7 million design contract.
The firm has past experience at Memorial Stadium, having played a role in the major renovation to the stadium’s west side that was completed prior to the 2008 season. More from The News-Gazette:
The amount will likely increase once the project moves into the design and construction phase later this year, said Mike Bass, senior associate vice president for business and finance.
The goal is to complete the work by July 2020, Bass told trustees at a committee meeting Monday.
The money for the initial contract will come from university “institutional funds,” but Bass said the bulk of the project will be paid for with private gifts and athletic department revenue. A detailed accounting will be provided when the project budget is up for final trustee approval in May or July, he said.
It will be up to university trustees to approve an agreement with HNTB when they meet next week.
Image courtesy University of Illinois.
RELATED STORIES: Illinois Planning Memorial Stadium Upgrades