Baysinger Architects Selected to Design New Trail of Tears Rest Area

Baysinger Architects has been selected to design the new Trail of Tears Rest Area buildings.

The project consists of the demolition and construction of two different rest area buildings at the Trail of Tears northbound site and Trail of Tears southbound site. The design of the building and the exterior landscaping reflect the significance of the site locations and proximity to the Trail of Tears. Each building is approximately 6000 SF and consists of two restrooms, a security office, vending storage, break-room area, building services storage and interpretive center. New sidewalks, ramps, picnic areas, outdoor play and exercise equipment are all included in the design. Reconstruction of the existing sewage lagoon is also included in the project.

IDOT requested that we incorporate a design that could be used as a template for future rest areas, which we successfully accomplished.

The completely new facility will be the first new rest area built in Illinois in many years.