New $251M State-of-the-Art Malcolm X College Campus Plans Revealed

By Gabriel Circiog, Associate Editor

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Cheryl Hyman recently announced plans for the new Malcolm X College campus, a major investment in Chicago’s west side. The state-of-the-art learning facility aims to provide Chicago’s students access to the tools that will enable them to succeed in fast-growing fields, such as health sciences. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the $251 million Malcolm X College will also feature a 1,500 space parking garage.

“Providing our students with a cutting-edge education requires facilities that are up to the task. This investment in Malcolm X is critical to the success of our students in the healthcare careers of tomorrow,” said Mayor Emanuel. “And we are proud that this project will add to the vitality and economic development of the west side as a major investment in our communities.”

The investment is part of a five-year capital plan that supports City Colleges of Chicago’s College to Careers initiative and will create 950 construction jobs through 2016. CCC is also launching a community jobs program that designates up to 120 of the construction jobs for qualified applicants from the community around the new college.

In addition, CCC is also guaranteeing, through City Colleges’ Dawson Technical Institute of Kennedy-King College, 50 free slots in construction training programs for applicants without previous training who live in the communities surrounding the new campus. City Colleges has partnered with HACIA and the Chicago Urban League to recruit all applicants and work with union officials, ensuring minority and female participation in the project.

The nation’s largest African American-owned architectural firm, Moody Nolan, has been contracted by City Colleges to serve as the architect of record on the project. The firm’s Chicago office will be expanded from nine to 14 staff member and will become the largest African American-owned architectural firm in Chicago.

Located in the Eisenhower Corridor, the project is part of Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Neighborhoods now initiative. The city is leveraging $330 million in public funding with $2.6 billion in private funding to facilitate new economic development and housing, improving the quality of life in seven sections of Chicago. The new college is expected to open in January 2016.

Rendering Courtesy of: www.ccc.edu