Project Overview
The University of Chicago West Campus Central Utility Plant (WCCUP) project expanded and modernized essential campus utility systems. The work added chillers, pumps, cooling towers, electrical systems, mechanical equipment, and controls within the existing plant, all while maintaining continuous service.
Extensive planning and coordination enabled the team to complete more than 30 tie-ins to existing chilled water, steam, plumbing, and electrical systems without disrupting campus operations.
Key Takeaways:
- More than 30 utility tie-ins completed within an active central utility plant environment
- Zero disruption to critical campus utility services during planned tie-in activities
- Installation and integration of new chillers, pumps, cooling towers, electrical systems, mechanical equipment, and controls
- Advanced pre-staging strategies that minimized shutdown durations and operational impacts
- Successful coordination with university facilities personnel and campus stakeholders throughout construction
- Completion Date
June 2026
- Delivery Method
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Construction Manager at Risk
Maintaining Critical Campus Utilities
Constructing within an operational central utility plant required careful planning, coordination, and execution. Campus utilities serving academic, research, and support facilities needed to remain operational throughout construction, leaving no room for unplanned outages.
To safely execute more than 30 utility tie-ins, the team developed detailed disruption avoidance plans. Each plan addressed shutdown requirements, potential system impacts, stakeholder communications, safety procedures and step-by-step execution. Through proactive planning and close collaboration with university facilities personnel, the team maintained reliable campus utility service throughout construction.
Supporting a Safe and Operational Campus
Maintaining a safe and accessible environment remained a priority throughout construction. Clear communication, signage, traffic control, and ongoing site maintenance helped minimize disruptions, maintain safe access, and keep campus stakeholders informed. A detailed signage plan provided consistent communication across the project site, while dedicated pedestrian routes, barriers, traffic controls, and field personnel helped people safely navigate around active construction areas.
Delivering Reliable Infrastructure for the Future
The West Campus Central Utility Plant project improved the reliability, maintainability, and long-term performance of the University of Chicago's utility infrastructure. Its successful delivery demonstrated the value of disciplined planning, proactive communication, and carefully sequenced execution when modernizing essential systems in a live campus environment.
