Faced with the growth of a research technology park on the south side of campus, the University of Illinois decided to relocate its South Farms Animal and Agricultural Research Facility. The South Farms operation, which occupied 1,000-acres, was moved to a 5,000-acre facility a ¼ mile south of its existing location. Epstein was the lead firm providing project management, civil engineering, structural engineering and architectural services in connection with this first phase of relocation.
The project included a 40-acre greenfield site at the south eastern extreme of the 5,000-acre facility. The new beef cattle and sheep facilities were the first of the operations to be moved and included a 10,000 square foot office building, 250,000 square feet of farm buildings and silos for processing 4 million gallons of animal waste per year.
The infrastructure improvements included not only the infrastructure for this phase, but consideration of the needs of all future phases. Epstein designed the infrastructure improvements, including a storm water collection and detention system consisting of inlets, pipes and 2 dry-bottom detention basins.
A domestic water distribution system was designed to supply each building with a potable water supply. Gas, electric, telephone, and site lighting were also designed and/or coordinated by Epstein.
