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Construction on DePaul's New Music Building Officially Begins

By Mina Bloom | November 3, 2015 6:01am
 A rendering of the new music building provided by DePaul University.
A rendering of the new music building provided by DePaul University.
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DePaul University

LINCOLN PARK — Construction on DePaul University's new music building has started.

On Monday, crews began construction, which is expected to last two years and four months, according to the university. That's a month longer than predicted at last month's meeting.

A new 185,000-square-foot music center will be built along the west side of Halsted Street between Fullerton and Belden avenues. It will include teaching studios, rehearsal space, a concert hall, two recital halls and a jazz hall, according to the university. 

Here's what to expect construction-wise through next spring:

Nov. 27-Mid-December: All surface parking — about 20 spaces — will be permanently removed on Halsted Street. Crews will work on the layout to the interior street that connects Belden Avenue to the McCormick Row House District and DePaul. Pedestrians will still be allowed, but no cars will be able to access the area until work is complete.

• December: There will be temporary walkways and barricades put up so students can access Concert Hall. 

• Mid-January: Demolition of McGaw Hall, 802 W. Belden Ave., begins, lasting 6-8 weeks. 

• Late February-March: Foundation and excavation work will begin, including deep drilling to build the underground parking garage.

Crews will work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. There will be no noisy work before 8 a.m., the university said.

Building a new music building is part of the university's 2009 10-year master plan, which includes millions of dollars in projects like a mixed-use development at Fullerton and Sheffield avenues and a Dutch-inspired "woonerf," among several other improvements. 

Construction was originally slated to begin construction in 2014 but was pushed back due to a dip in enrollment.

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