Main Complex Renovation Project
The Main Complex Renovation Project is underway and will soon start construction.
The College will close access to Baldwin, Caldwell and Fobes Hall in the Fall 2025 semester in preparation for the renovation project.
The buildings will remain closed through the end of the project, which is anticipated to be completed in time for the start of the Spring 2028 semester.
These three buildings will undergo a complete renovation, beginning with a roofing project in November 2025, followed by an abatement phase in early 2026. Construction is anticipated to begin on this state-managed project by Summer 2026 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.
Background
The project was funded through a State of Illinois Capital Bill announced in 2019.
In March of 2022, following the college's closure of multiple classrooms in the complex due to ongoing health and safety concerns, Governor Pritzker visited the Godfrey campus and awarded the College $37.5 million (the state’s match) toward the $50 million project. The remaining $12.5 million was allocated by the College’s Board of Trustees in 2022.
Although the original plans and cost estimates for the project included the renovation of all five buildings in the Main Complex – Wade, Reid, Caldwell, Baldwin and Fobes halls, the scope of the project was changed to focus only on Caldwell, Baldwin and Fobes due to the rising costs caused by inflation and the length of time from award to completion. The original cost estimates for the project were completed in 2017.
The current renovation project underway includes a complete renovation of Fobes, Baldwin and Caldwell halls. These buildings house the majority of classrooms serving the Godfrey Campus, along with all major student services, including Advising and Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Bursar, the Bookstore, Mental Health Counseling, Academic Affairs, Access and Accommodations, Tutoring and more.
Thanks to the efforts of the college’s Maintenance Team, more than 70 team members have been relocated out of the three impacted buildings to other locations on campus.
Major relocations included Enrollment, Advising, Financial Aid, Bursar and the Bookstore moving to the first floor of Reid Hall. The Maintenance Team is also removing all fixtures from the building and has completed selective demolition of some floors to aid the architects and engineers in the design process.
Timeline
- November 1, 2025 - Roofing Project starts
- Abatement will begin as soon as the roofing project is complete.
- November 14, 2025 - Final Construction Design documents are due to the State Capital Development Board (CDB) for review
- February 2026 - The CDB will release bids
- April 2026 - A bid will be awarded
- Construction will begin following the bid award and is estimated to last 18 months.
- Early 2028 - Construction completed and buildings open to occupancy
Design
CDB awarded the design contract to Hastings and Chivetta in 2023; the firm is now known as Grace Design Studios. Since that time, Hastings and Chivetta conducted a thorough analysis of the three buildings, while also working with engineers to focus on improvements to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in this historic structure. The design team also includes an architect with extensive experience in historic preservation. The project has recently been reviewed and approved by the State Historic Preservation Organization (SHPO).
The architects conducted several focus group meetings with students, faculty, staff and other key stakeholders to solicit feedback and determine best uses for spaces in the renovation.
One central theme emerged across all stakeholder groups: the renovation of these buildings should focus on better serving students.
Key Design Improvements
Previously, the enrollment and student services offices were spaced out throughout the Main Complex and were not easy for new students to follow and find in terms of the enrollment process.
The proposed renovation project creates a true student center that is focused on streamlining the student enrollment experience and improving student engagement with key student support services.
A new addition to the front of the Fobes Building. While this addition is needed to meet code requirements by including an additional stairwell and additional restroom facilities, the addition also creates a new face and welcome center for students at LC, making enrollment services much easier to find.
The renovation will include preservation of many of the building elements, and the palette chosen for the design is meant to complement the historic design, stonework and millwork features. LC branding will be added to the spaces to provide modern touches and enhance the design.
Fobes Hall will be redesigned to make the enrollment process streamlined for students. Students will find Enrollment and Advising on Floor 1. Floor 2 will house the Financial Aid and Bursar departments. Floor 3 will feature the Assessment Center, where students will complete their placement testing, and the Access and Accommodations Office, where students can receive additional supports for their educational coursework.
Following the design strategy of using the buildings to map the student enrollment process, the first-floor corridor of Caldwell Hall (the adjoining building to Fobes) will house a Center for Student Engagement that will include spaces for Student Activities, Student Government, student clubs, the Dean of Students, and a centralized IT Help desk to assist students.
The Baldwin Annex, which previously housed Enrollment Services, will be repurposed and renovated to create a new, reimagined space for the College for Life program, which serves students with disabilities.
- The second floor of Baldwin will be the new home for the Marketing and PR department, previously located in Fobes, as well as a renovated space for the Adult Education Program.
- Caldwell Hall's second floor will once again be home to the Mental Health Counseling Department, along with the entire Academic Affairs team.
- The third and fourth floors of both Calwell and Baldwin will see renovations to upgrade all current classrooms and offices, while creating new spaces for specific programs such as Early Childhood Development.
- The fifth floor of Caldwell will see renovations to all faculty offices located there currently.
Design elements aside from branding colors and modern furniture will include graphic wall displays, improved wayfinding, enhanced lighting and the introduction of glass to open up spaces and bring in natural light to each floor and department.
The overall design centralizes all critical student services and streamlines the enrollment process.
The new design also features various lounge and student gathering spaces, which will encourage student engagement and collaboration.
The focus on improving access to supportive services and providing gathering spaces is aimed not only at improving the student experience but also at improving student retention and completion at LC.
Be sure to check back to this page for updates on the project, including photos and progress reports.
Main Complex Renovation Photos
