DePaul to Preserve Historic Buildings Amid Construction of $60M Basketball Practice Facility

DePaul University has modified plans for a new $60 million basketball practice facility, which includes updates that will preserve historic buildings on campus. 

According to The DePaulian, vice president and director of athletics, DeWayne Peevy, included details of the plans in an email. 

“To help offset the necessary loss of buildings on Sheffield Avenue, DePaul will historically preserve and restore several iconic campus buildings to benefit the entire community,” Peevy said in the email. 

These efforts include:

• Land marking of the Cortelyou Commons exterior on Fremont Street 
• Working with the Vincentian Order to landmark the jointly owned Byrne Hall building on Kenmore Ave. 
• Repairing O’Connell Hall’s exterior
• Installing solar panels on the roof of the proposed facility, decreasing emissions by 10 percent
• Decreasing the facility footprint to allow for wider sidewalks and more landscaping

Peevy said the changes were made to address concerns from the community about the planned demolition of several historic structures to make room for the new facility. 

“In addition to voicing preservation concerns, the committee requested design enhancements to ensure the practice facility’s proposed façade more closely matches the aesthetic of the neighborhood and included more emphasis on sustainability,” Peevy said. 

DePaul’s modified plan is said to be a compromise to address disapproval from some community members about the forthcoming demolition of several historic buildings on Sheffield Avenue. 

“At least DePaul is trying to keep the neighborhood happy,” DePaul student Lilly Praete said. “I am sad they are still tearing down some buildings on Sheffield because I feel like they just kind of add to the campus vibe. It’s definitely gonna be a disruption.”