Public Building Commission Projects

With more than 100 diverse projects currently underway, the Public Building Commission has a challenging construction agenda slated for the start of the new Millennium - and beyond. From state-of-the-art, crime-fighting police facilities to cascading fountains that become neighborhood showpieces, the PBC’s design, development, and project management abilities continue to touch the lives of all Chicagoans, in every community.

In neighborhoods throughout the city, the Public Building Commission is working with the community to transform parking lots into playlots and concrete into campus parks. Residents are encouraged to become involved in the planning and design of these new "green spaces" and recreational areas alongside PBC project managers and various city agencies.

The Public Building Commission also is forging ahead with other efforts to enrich and rebuild communities by replacing and updating police stations, fire stations and libraries, renovating Chicago Public Schools and the City Colleges of Chicago, and building new recreational facilities for the Chicago Park District.

In a progressive effort to simplify the construction process, meet or surpass aggressive deadlines and streamline costs, the PBC has developed prototype - or standard - designs for police stations, fire stations, and libraries. By using prototypes, the Department of Buildings can review and approve permit applications faster, while contractors can prevent future problems by learning from the past. Cost savings, which result directly from the prototype process, translate into upgraded technology and greater resources for each new site.