McCormick Square Expansion Project

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) is a municipal corporation created by the Illinois General Assembly to attract trade shows, conventions, meetings, expositions, and public events to strengthen the state’s economy. MPEA oversees the Collection at McCormick Square, Chicago’s convention and event hub that includes McCormick Place, the new 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena, the expanded Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, and the new Marriott Marquis Chicago.

MPEA worked with Level-1 on the design and implementation of a new telecommunications system throughout McCormick Place Square as part of an expansion project that included a new 460-room guest tower, renovation of the existing 800-room Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, and 25,000- square-foot Hyatt Conference Center as well as three new board rooms and a business center.

Level-1 worked with MPEA stakeholders to gather the appropriate information for the multiprotocol data networks for guests and the Hyatt administration using both wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, VoIP, and high definition TV and developed a telephone system procurement document to include information on the current system, quantities, and capabilities of required components, requirements for general business terms, requirements for specific installation and maintenance services.

The installation of the system included developing wiring closet/cabinet layouts for the telecommunications rooms in the existing building to include wall elevations, rack layouts, cable runway layouts, and panel usage details; designing the MATV distribution systems for the new hotel extension to include amps, splitters, taps, cable, and outlets to deliver the MATV signal from the service provider feed at the building utility entrance room; and developing A/V floor plans from supplied architectural CAD files to show logical diagrams, details, and locations and field sketches to accommodate any changes that arose during construction.

Level-1 was also part of the review of the contractor’s compliance with the project closeout requirements (i.e. category 6 cable test results, as-built documents, operations and maintenance manuals, formal training, warranty service agreement, spare parts inventory) and worked closely with the design team to select the long-term maintenance provider for the system.

The successful expansion project now contributes to the health and vitality of Chicago’s tourism and convention industry and strengthens McCormick Square’s position as a premier convention center and event district by attracting nearly three million annual visitors.