Trustees OK Permit for Lewis University Construction

Village trustees OK’d a special use permit that will allow to move forward with a number of construction projects, including an addition to its science building, which is currently under construction, as well as a planned and fifth residence hall.

The ordinance approved Wednesday also gives the university some leeway with regard to several campus parking lots that are not in compliance with village codes.

Community Development Director Steve Rockwell said work is scheduled to begin this summer on phase one of the athletic complex, which includes a multipurpose athletic field and nine-lane track. A 256-space parking lot is also slated to be completed.

Subsequent phases of the reported $20 million project will include an athletic building and tennis courts.

While work is progressing on other Lewis construction projects, the university will get a break with regard to some noncompliant parking lots.

Parking lot ZZ, located near several student housing buildings, will be allowed to remain as-is until a fifth dormitory building is built. At that point, Rockwell said, the lot will be replaced with one that meets village standards.

“That dorm could be (built) in three, five, seven years,” Village Administrator Steve Gulden said. “It could be two years. We just wanted to be fair.”

The university has two years to correct life-safety issues, including emergency vehicle access and aisle width, in another student parking area. Under the ordinance, the school must pay the village a $5,000 due to the noncompliance of lot GG.

Mayor John Noak said the special use permit will accommodate some “growing pains” as the university plans for the future.

“We think it’s very exciting, this entire project,” Lewis Executive Vice President Wayne Draudt said. “It will serve the university well.”

Noak agreed.

“It’s an exciting time for your institution,” he said.