Challenge

The Illinois Capital Development Board planned to demolish a minimum-security prison which had been abandoned by the state. Valdes Architecture & Engineering (Valdes) was retained to create demolition plans for the site.

Solution

The facility consisted of nine buildings, totaling 47,873 square feet. The Administration Building was a four story, 4,444 square foot building, established in 1895. The remaining eight buildings varied from one to four stories and were established between 1963 and 1993. All were demolished in their entirety, including the removal of basements and foundations. The project also included the removal of select pavements, capping or modifying utilities supporting demolished buildings, backfilling, grading, and seeding. Valdes conducted a thorough site assessment to identify site components to be demolished along with hazardous materials and underground utilities identification. Necessary permits, ensuring regulatory compliance, were obtained and the appropriate demolition method was selected for each building.

Impact

The demolition of the outdated and underutilized buildings mitigates risks such as structural instability or contamination. The project’s emphasis on backfilling, grading, and seeding promotes sustainability by preparing the land for green space or future construction while minimizing environmental disruption.

Services

Architecture