ECC to build brighter entrance
Elgin Community College soon will have a greater presence to motorists traveling along McLean Boulevard and a new mechanism to communicate with students and the community.
College officials this week received a thumbs-up from the Elgin City Council to erect an arched gateway, complete with energy efficient LED displays to publicize campus news or emergency alerts.
It will be located at the Spartan Drive entrance off McLean on the east side of the campus.
ECC President David Sam said the college's current sign near the Colonial Cafe is antiquated and a worker was nearly hit by a sliding car this past winter while changing the letters on the sign.
“You could probably drive down McLean 300 times and not know there is a college behind there, Sam said. “I want to move us from the 16th century to the present century.
Sam added that the college is designated to be a Federal Emergency Management Agency site and the sign can help alert the community in case of an emergency.
ECC Director of Communications Heidi Zwart-Healy said the Spartan Drive sign will cost $539,860 and is expected to be completed by early December or possibly earlier if weather is good.
The college also plans to install four smaller LED signs on the west side of Spartan Drive and near parking lots as well.