Joliet West reconstructs main entrance

JOLIET – School starts in four weeks. Although there always are some changes when the students return, Joliet West’s biggest difference has become hard to miss for anybody passing by Glenwood and Larkin avenues.

Soon after graduation, the school started demolishing the narrow corridor between the auditorium and the rest of the campus, which has served as the main entrance since 1964.

“Out of session is the best time to do this type of work,” said Joe Lopez, director of buildings and grounds. “You’re not disrupting the school day. There’s not as many safety concerns.”

Safety and security were the driving forces behind the $2.5 million project. The old main entrance brought visitors directly from the parking lot to a hallway where students would walk through as they waited to check in at a cubicle cut into the wall.

“You step right into the middle of the school,” said Ilandus Hampton, assistant superintendent for business services at Joliet High School District 204. “Experts suggest a holding area where you can wait to check in and then get into the student areas.”

The new 3,500-square-foot section should be completed by winter break, and the visitors parking lot will be fenced off until it’s finished. An entrance near the cafeteria on the north side of the building will serve as the temporary main entrance for the fall semester. A few plaques and small photos also have been moved near the cafeteria.

It took about a week to tear down the old section, although Lopez noted that the existing terrazzo floor will remain and has been covered with plywood. The utilities tunnel running underneath the hallway also will remain connected. Gilbane Construction has excavated down 15 feet to set up concrete and rebar footings that will connect to the original foundation. Lopez said he expects masonry for the new section will start going up in early August.

On Tuesday, the Board of Education voted to award the contract for the second phase of construction to Chicago Heights Construction. Roofing, windows, doors, walls and electrical work will be performed for $1,416,388. Two others companies bid for the project.

“The bids came in higher than expected ... partly [because] the construction industry is doing well, but are still within the budget,” Hampton said. Hampton said Chicago Heights Construction will subcontract some work to Joliet-based vendors.

David Skorupa was the only board member to vote against awarding the bid.

“Back in May we approved $649,000 for excavation and demolition ... while I think we need [the new entrance], it just seems like it’s coming at a premium cost to the district,” Skorupa said.

Skorupa said building costs of $700 per square foot for construction that does not even include plumbing seems “way above the industry standard.”

Gilbane Construction Manager David Norris told Skorupa the square footage cost appears high, but isn’t driving up the total price.

“Where there’s one rooftop unit on new construction the cost is spaced out over the whole project,” said Norris. “But unlike a new building, or a new wing, for this addition it’s all packed into a smaller container.”

Joliet West staff also is putting down mulch, trimming trees and seal coating and re-striping the parking lot during summer break.