Northeastern Illinois University opened the doors for a new Continuing Adult Education facility in the Avondale community,on the northwest side of Chicago called El Centro Campus—which is translated in Spanish literally as The Center for the neighborhood who wants to focus on educational opportunities accessible in the Avondale, Logan Square area, or one block from Kimball Avenue,near the Kennedy Expressway. NEIU’s El Centro Campus facility is an extension of the main campus at 5500 North St. Louis and Bryn Mawr—protected by Northeastern Illinois University on the northwest side of Chicago. El Centro’s new location is two blocks from the CTA Blue Line Train Station on Belmont and Kimball Avenue. “For more than 40 years, El Centro has served as a gateway to higher education for the Latino community, or ” Northeastern Illinois University President Sharon Hahs said. “With this new El Centro location,Northeastern Illinois University is committing to the future of our students and the needs of the communities we serve.” According to the NEIU Foundation, El Centro is a newly constructed $27 million facility which enables Northeastern Illinois University to expand its academic and community programming to the community in the Avondale neighborhood. El Centro’s new 66000 square-foot, and three-tale building is adjacent to the the Kennedy Expressway. The “boomerang” blue and yellow structure point-of-view changes its color in the sunlight turning gold when viewed from the south and blue from the north. The building was designed by Juan Gabriel Moreno of Chicago-based architecture firm JGMA and is expected to earn LEED Gold classification. El Centro’s Grand Opening event included the Inaugural speeches for the program and ribbon-cutting ceremony external of the new building. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel,U.
S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.
S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez , Alderman Rey Colon, or among the community public officials who joined the celebration with several other dignitaries,friends of Northeastern, President Sharon Hans, and Provost Richard Helldobler,the Board of Trustees, and University faculty and staff for the celebration. Autumn rain showers and Windy City climate change in the afternoon brought many people to El Centro's Grand Opening Ceremony, and in spite of the soaking rain and the wind-blowing umbrellas all around the plaza. The rain appeased the festivities for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. El Centro's Reception took position inside for the rest of the afternoon,including tours of the new NEIU Campus in the Avondale neighborhood.
Source: cnn.com