Governor Quinn Opens Next Phase of WIU Quad Cities Riverfront Campus

MOLINE - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by state and local officials and school leaders to open Phase II of the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities (WIU) Riverfront campus in Moline. The $42 million facility was funded by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program and expands the educational opportunities available to Quad Cities area residents. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to prepare every child for success in college, career and beyond.

"Mark Twain knew it, and the people of the Quad Cities know it too - there is great opportunity along the river," Governor Quinn said. "Western's Riverfront Campus continues to grow and provide education preparation for the jobs of today and tomorrow. There's no investment more important than an investment in education and in the success of Illinois' students."

"As the only public higher education institution in the Quad Cities, Western Illinois University provides the citizens of this region with outstanding academic opportunities," WIU President Jack Thomas said. "We are grateful for the support and the commitment we have received through the years from Governor Quinn, area legislators, our community college partners, civic and business leaders, as well as numerous Quad Cities organizations."

The 94,800-square-foot Phase II complex houses academic programs in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Services and Fine Arts and Communication, as well as the US Bank Writing Center, testing center, academic advising and student services. The new buildings also house programs and services from the current WIU-Quad Cities 60th Street campus, including the library and classes offered through the Quad Cities Graduate Study Center. In 2003, a donation from Deere & Company of 20 acres of land on the Moline riverfront provided the stimulus for an expanded WIU Quad Cities campus.

The Riverfront Campus building, which is the former John Deere Tech Center, opened in January 2012 and supports the College of Business and Technology, including the School of Engineering and WQPT-Quad Cities public television. The total cost of Phase I was $18.4 million.

"It is truly an exciting day in Moline as we celebrate the grand opening of Phase Two of the brand new Western Illinois University-Quad Cities campus," Moline Mayor Scott Raes said. "Let's keep this momentum moving forward as we continue growing the campus and the surrounding property."

Like Building One on the Riverfront campus, Phase II buildings are sustainably constructed and operated. Green amenities include geothermal heating and cooling, emphasis on use of daylight, native landscaping, green roof treatments and an emphasis on energy efficiency. Western will pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, which builds on the LEED Silver certification received for Phase I. The project was administered by the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), which manages all non-road, state-funded construction projects.

"The expansion of this campus means more young people can stay in the community and become leaders while also providing new opportunities for people to start new careers and learn new skills," State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline) said. "I'm proud of the investments we have made to promote economic opportunities for our community and continuing to grow our local workforce."

"Higher education is a critical element for economic development and through this expansion of WIU-QC, our Quad Cities area will reap the benefits for decades to come," State Representative Pat Verschoore (D-Milan) said. "It has been an honor to work with the Governor, my colleagues, our community leaders and the administration of Western Illinois University on Phase II of this project. This expansion was critical not only in terms of the jobs it created through construction but because it provides for stronger employment opportunities for the entire Quad Cities now and into the future."

"The Western Illinois University Quad City Campus is a tremendous asset to our area," State Representative Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) said. "Our kids can go to a public four year university without leaving the Quad Cities and the economic development that WIU stimulates will help ensure that when those students graduate, they can find good-paying jobs right here at home."

"Phase II demonstrates Governor Quinn's commitment to higher education, green building design and the people of the Quad Cities," CDB Executive Director Jim Underwood said. "The Capital Development Board was proud to work on this project, which created jobs during construction and will continue to help fill jobs with well-trained graduates."

Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.