Governor Helps Break Ground for Illinois Natural Resources center

On Oct. 28th, Gov. Jim Edgar joined with state and local officials at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to break ground for the Illinois Natural Resources Center. The new 200,000-square-foot building will be the central headquarters for the Department of Natural Resources and will improve public services, expand outdoor educational programs, and save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in costs.

"This new center will provide significant savings to taxpayers and added convenience for users by bringing together at one location important Department of Natural Resources programs and services that currently are spread among eight leased buildings throughout the capital city;" the Governor said.

"This state-of-the-art building also will help DNR vastly expand its outdoor educational offerings for visitors of all ages through a new education and interpretive center that will provide conservation programs, exhibits and displays for school groups, children and adults."

The facility will be constructed at Conservation World, a 30-acre park on the northwest corner of the fairgrounds, offering easy access and better service to the public. The new building will house more than 650 employees, integrating DNR management and public services.

Eliminating rent and operating costs for leased office space is expected to produce more than $56 million in savings over a 30-year period as well as repay the bonds used to finance construction of the building.

"One of my goals in merging state natural resources activities into one department in 1995 was to better focus the state's fiscal resources on our most critical natural resource stewardship needs of the 21st Century;" Edgar said. "The new building represents an important step toward accomplishing that goal."

"It also will allow the Department to expand its nationally recognized conservation education initiatives with improved, on-site facilities for both indoor and outdoor environmental exhibits and programs."

The facility will include a 24,000-square-foot public services section for license, permit and merchandise sales, records storage and support functions, and a 15,000-square-foot interpretive center featuring educational exhibits, displays, an auditorium and cafeteria.

"We are excited about bringing our wide variety of integrated programs, activities and expertise under one roof at the Illinois Natural Resources Center," said DNR director Brent Manning. "We will be able to provide more efficient and accessible service as we meet the challenges of the next century Speaking at the groundbreaking, Dr. Ted Flickinger, CLP, executive director of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, said: "Today, because of the Governor's efforts, a dream has become a reality. This building will represent the Edgar administration's commitment to natural resources, and for that we are deeply appreciative."