Capital Improvements

The first part of a much-deserved capital improvement project that will better serve the students at Morton College is nearing completion. A remodeled Bookstore and a classroom featuring a planetarium are scheduled to wrap up next month.

   Our college community deserves these investments, high quality living and learning facilities are critical to preparing our students to succeed in a competitive global economy. The improvements to our facilities will guarantee our students the college educational experience and value they so deserve.” -Stan Fields, Morton College President.

Other capital improvements, funded by a $9 million bond sale, coming to Morton College by the Fall of 2020 include bathrooms, classroom space, elevators, exterior spaces, lighting and signage.

The status of capital improvements at Morton College as of November 29th from A to Z:

As we navigate the pandemic, and ensure the safety and health of our college community, we continue the capital improvements of our facilities. When you return to campus you will see renovations made throughout our campus!

Bathrooms

Phase 1 of the bathroom renovations in Building D and Building C Staff are overall complete. Over winter recess the doors to the bathrooms will be replaced and the vanities will be updated. Estimated project completion: Completed

Phase 2 of the bathroom renovation began begin during December 2019 winter recess. All bathrooms in Building C, and the 1st floor of Building B bathrooms are under renovation. Estimated project completion: Completed

Phase 3 of the bathroom renovation will go to bid in February 2020. Approval of bids will be presented to the Board at March 2020 meeting. Construction set to begin in May 2020. Estimated project completion: Completed

Fitness Center- Updates to the bathroom floors were complete during Thanksgiving Break. The lockers in the bathrooms will be replaced during winter recess. Estimated project completion: Completed

Bookstore

Morton College is excited to announce it is transitioning to a Follett virtual bookstore with convenient ordering and shipping options and accessible online customer service support. We have prepared an FAQ to answer many of your questions about navigating the Follett virtual bookstore environment and a guide on "how to Find & Order Your Books. This transition will take place over the next couple of months and will be fully in place for ordering your course materials for the spring semester.

Classrooms

Updates to new Planetarium are 90 percent complete with the electric, painting, flooring and sound system done and the desks installed. Projector installation begins Thursday, October 24th. Floor was replaced, room repainted and wiring completed.
Estimated project completion: Completed

Upgrades to the PTA area at 90 percent complete. Space was repainted and expanded to accommodate larger classroom capacity. Partition doors have been installed. Flooring will be done over winter recess.
Estimated project completion: Completed

Reorganization and preparations for demolition of the welding lab will take place over winter recess.
Estimated Project Completion:Completed

The nine classrooms in the new wing of Building C will dedicated to Health Science courses in the Spring of 2020.

Project underway to remodel the Great Depression (336B) and Civil War (334B) classrooms. Demonica Kemper Architects are currently working on a plan to renovate the classrooms into lab space for the Health Sciences Department.
Estimated Project Completion: Completed

Three new heating and air conditioning systems for theatre and Building D project will begin during the winter recess.
Estimated project completion: Completed

The panther pantry room has been cleaned and repainted. The carpet will be replaced with wood floors over the over the winter recess. Additional furniture is being ordered to meet the Greater Food Depository standards. Estimated project completion: Completed

College community

Twenty-two round and square picnic tables were ordered and placed throughout campus to provide more outside seating space for the college community. Many tables are also ADA accessible. Great to see the immediate use of the tables by our students, faculty and staff.
Estimated project completion: Completed

All garbage cans on campus will be replaced. Currently researching design and receiving quotes for the project.
Estimated project completion: Completed

Instructional space will be repurposed to meet the demand of the growing enrollment numbers.

A project is currently underway to identify additional office space throughout the campus.
The remodeling of the Duplications area will begin during the winter recess.
Estimated project completion: TDB

Elevators

Preparations for Building C and D elevator renovations are being finalized. Elevators will be completed during winter recess.
Estimated project completion: Completed.

Phase 2 of the renovation for elevators in Buildings B will start during winter recess.
Estimated project completion: Completed

Exterior upgrades

Exterior upgrades project that will include the courtyard, paving, and landscaping is in the design process. Bids for this project begins in February 2020. Approval of bids will be presented to the Board at the March 2020 regular meeting. Construction is set to begin in April 2020.
Estimated project completion: August 2020.

Parking lot resealed and restriped.
Estimated project completion: Completed

Building B & C foyer entryway renovations began early December. Concrete walkway will be replaced to prepare for a new glass door entryway that will be installed during winter recess.
Estimated project completion: January 2020.

Designs for Phase 2 renovations of Building E (Vais Gymnasium) were approved. Project goes to bid in January 2020. Approval of bids will be presented to the Board at the February 2020 regular meeting. Construction is set to begin in March 2020.
Estimated project completion: August 2020.

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center

JPAC Theatre renovation design is underway. Bids for this project begin in February 2020. Approval of bids will be presented to the Board at the March 2020 regular meeting. Construction is set to begin in March 2020.
Estimated project completion: Completed

Lighting

All parking lot lights were replaced. The outside lighting replacement project was a ComEd initiative that comes with a 5-year warranty and a 50% energy savings.
Exterior building lights replaced as well.

The solar panel is also a part of the energy cost savings as the main source of power to the Fitness Center.

Estimated project completion: Completed

One-Stop Center

Morton College will begin the construction of the One-Stop Center December 2021 which will house Academic Advising, Admissions and Records, Recruitment, Financial Aid, Counseling and Disability Services all in one place. In addition, this creates new homes for the Student Union, Library and Tutoring Services.

Rockit Property

The Rockit Property Site project underwent a clean-up and partial leveling of the land. Due to the cold weather months, the landscaping will be scheduled for the spring season. This project is funded by a state grant.
Estimated project completion: March 2020

Download Rockit Property Presentation

Signage

An exterior sign project is underway. Proposals are being submitted by three different companies to update and/or replace exterior signage with the current MC branding.

Other signage projects include:
• Repaint and put current MC logo to Central Avenue main entrance sign.
• Add new LED channel letters with brick piers to the corner of Central Avenue and Pershing  Road.
• Add new LED channel letters logo sitting on brick planter to the corner of Central Avenue and 37th Street.
• Replace service entry signs on Pershing Road and 37th Street.
• Replace two welcome signs located by U drive.
• Bus stop sign will be replaced with a new LED sign.
• Scoreboards in the gymnasium will be replaced by a wireless LED sign.

Estimated project completion: TBD

Stairwell

Stairwell project has gone to bid and will be presented to the Board for approval of bids at October regular meeting. Construction set to begin in May 2020.
Estimated project completion: Completed