The CCAC would like to thank DePaul University's Jeff Bethke, Treasurer, and Fran Casey, Community Affairs Director, for hosting the June 10 CCAC lunch meeting at University Center Chicago in the South Loop. Members enjoyed a detailed presentation by Bethke on DePaul’s century-long beneficial impact on Chicago neighborhoods, “The Urban University as a Catalyst for Economic Growth & Community Development.”

Founded in 1898 in Lincoln Park by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian) religious community, which follows the teachings of 17th century French priest St. Vincent de Paul, the university grew to become the largest Catholic university in the United States. Instrumental in its growth was a decision to remain in Lincoln Park in 1953 at a time when city leaders considered labeling the neighborhood for slum clearance. DePaul’s continued presence in the neighborhood served as a longstanding social and economic anchor. Today the Lincoln Park campus includes 48 buildings across 36 acres and is home to 3,000 on-campus residents.

The university’s presence in the South Loop includes an additional 8 buildings and 1.6 million square feet of space, and accounts for 14,000 of DePaul’s approximately 24,000 current students. On-campus housing downtown is concentrated at University Center, a major dormitory development shared by DePaul, Roosevelt University, and Columbia College to which DePaul has the rights to forty-percent of the beds.

The university considers itself well-situated in terms of academic and dormitory space and is not looking to expand or make acquisitions, beyond projects currently underway. In order to provide a better venue for its Big East basketball franchise, DePaul partnered with the City of Chicago to develop a major new arena adjacent to the McCormick Place convention center at Cermak Road and Indiana Avenue. The arena project benefited the city by helping it reach its goal of a 4,000-seat arena at McCormick Place and development on Cermak and in the Motor Row area. The arena will include no additional parking, and will be a direct ride from DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus via the Red Line. McPier will also build a major Headquarters hotel adjacent to the arena.

Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli, the arena is designed to sit gently in the Prairie Avenue district area, with the court situated partially below grade and glass curtain walls allowing views of the arena scoreboard and lobby area from outside. In addition to basketball, the arena is also planned to house convocations, commencements, graduations, and concerts, with a projected concert seating total of 12,500. Construction will begin in the first quarter of 2015 with an expected opening for the 2016-2017 season.

Thank You to Our Continuing Members!
Thank you to CCAC members who have sent their 2014 dues checks. Our impact on critical Chicago planning decisions is strengthened by the active engagement of all of our members. If you haven't yet sent in your  2014 dues, we ask that you do so as soon as possible.