New JJC building delayed

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Updated: March 3, 2012 11:40AM

JOLIET — The Joliet Junior College Board has delayed its vote on a City Center campus construction project.

In June, trustees advanced plans for the 96,000-square-foot City Center campus project, at Chicago and Webster streets in downtown Joliet.

Leaders envision the campus including the culinary arts and hospitality management department, and other programs including workforce development, general education classrooms, student development offices and a small library.

On Tuesday night, trustees viewed plans for a six-story structure connected to the Renaissance Center at 214 N. Ottawa St.

Those plans will get an audience at a Joliet City Council’s workshop meeting, which begins at 3:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 150 W. Jefferson St.

Architects will give a presentation to the council. However, those plans will be subject to change.

The college administration recommended delaying the vote by trustees for three reasons:

Debra Daniels will begin her job as college president March 1, coming to Joliet from San Bernardino Valley College in California.

The majority of JJC trustees agreed Tuesday with the administration and expressed a desire to have Daniels look at the plans before the board votes.

Daniels has extensive experience in construction projects. San Bernardino Valley College has a $400 million bond project for building, construction and remodeling. During her years there, Daniels was busy doing groundbreakings and dedications for new buildings.

This month, Gov. Pat Quinn will announce his state budget. That budget could include $24 million for the City Center campus project. Before voting on plans, the board wants to know the status of that funding.

Trustee Michael O’Connell and others have proposed cost-cutting measures for the project, which will be even more important if state funding doesn’t come through. Staff is reviewing those options.

College trustees meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the main campus, 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet.