Northern Illinois University's facilities leadership updated trustees on active capital projects and energy-improvement work, including the state-funded boiler replacement, Trane energy-efficiency work, campus solar installations and two major new construction projects.
The update framed progress, schedules and visible campus impacts while flagging coordination needs with external partners such as ComEd and the state Capital Development Board.
John Heckman, associate vice president for facilities management and campus services, led a pictorial progress report. He said the Bossert Bowell Health Technology Center has completed schematic design and could reach groundbreaking in fall 2026 if design and procurement proceed on schedule, with a target occupancy aligned to spring 2029. Heckman said the Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability has released an RFP (July) and could begin work next summer with a potential completion in 2027.
Heckman said the state-funded boiler replacement project is progressing toward a planned startup of the new boilers in November for final commissioning; the new boilers are sized to handle regular maximum demand but the existing boilers will remain available as backup until additional capacity is added by a subsequent project.
On the $56 million energy-improvement project with Trane, Heckman said construction progressed over the summer and will continue through next summer. Stevens solar is installed and in final commissioning, six DC fast chargers in the visitor lot are operational in testing, and roof-mounted solar at DuSable and Chesick are under coordination with ComEd. He said the total solar systems are estimated to offset about 6% of campus electricity consumption annually.
Heckman highlighted thermal storage installations: ice-storage tanks (about 12 feet) at Barsima Hall, the Convocation Center and the East Chiller Plant will be charged at night when electricity prices are lower and used during daytime peak periods to reduce demand and cost. He described this as a visible campus feature that could be used for branding and public education.
Trustees asked about outreach and internal communications to make students and the campus community aware of these improvements; the facilities team said they coordinate with Marketing and Communications and the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications on promotional opportunities and campus displays.
No formal actions were taken; the presentation served as a status update and trustees asked for continued schedule updates and outreach on high-visibility projects.