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Committee approves final plan for Aurora University Learning Commons, a new three-story student hub
Summary
The committee approved a final plan for Aurora University's Learning Commons at Prairie and Randall, a roughly 42,000-square-foot, three-story building with a double-height atrium, cafe, outdoor seating, bioretention and a donor water wall; staff said no solar is planned for this site.
The Building, Zoning & Economic Development Committee voted 3-0 to approve a final plan for a new three-story Learning Commons at Aurora University.
Charlotte Carlton, a civil engineer with SmithGroup, presented the design for the project at the northwest corner of Prairie Street and Randall Road. Carlton described the building as "just over 42,000 total square feet" with a double-height atrium, a cafe, terrace seating and a proposed donor water wall aimed at buffering traffic noise. The site will include berming, garden-pocket seating, bioretention areas and permeable pavers to reduce impervious surface and support stormwater management.
Carlton said the design retains a large existing tree in the southeast corner of the site and moves the fire lane/loading dock to keep it closer to the building after coordination with the fire department. Staff told the committee the building elevations are designed to complement existing campus architecture and that the landscape plan will be submitted to the city.
Committee members asked about hours and access. A university representative said the building is expected to follow normal campus hours (roughly 7— a.m. to 10 p.m.), with possible extended hours during finals, and that full access will require an ID for safety reasons. When asked about installing solar panels on this site, staff said there are no plans to add solar for the Learning Commons in order to remain consistent with the main campus.
The committee recorded a 3-0 vote in favor of the final plan. Presenters said the project aims to break ground in summer with a finish target in 2026, making the work roughly a 12- to 18-month timeline.
