The George Washington University outlined timelines for ongoing campus construction and the impact of development projects at a meeting with neighbors this month.
The meeting, held on Aug. 7, was part of the university’s ongoing efforts to engage the community and discuss campus construction sites, specifically lane and road closures, with the community.
“We appreciate the patience and cooperation our neighbors have shown as we work to fulfill the campus plan and bring these new additions to our community,” said Alicia Knight, senior associate vice president for operations.
Sidewalk and lane closures adjacent to project sites, including the School of Public Health and Health Services building, Ross Hall, the Science and Engineering Hall, the new museum on the Foggy Bottom Campus and the residence hall on Square 77, have been a focus of recent community discussions.
In response, the university has posted phasing diagrams of campus-wide construction timelines, outlining timetables for sidewalk and lane closures at these sites.
Additionally, the university will increase outreach to students and faculty returning this month for the new academic year, including targeted email outreach and informational booths at numerous “welcome back” functions for students and faculty.
“These outreach methods, from community meetings to website updates, are a means of maintaining communication with our neighbors and the campus community,” said Director of Community Relations Britany Waddell. “Each site has many stakeholders, and we’re constantly working to convey the many facets of each project as it advances.”
Ms. Waddell also noted that the university will continue to provide project updates at monthly FRIENDS meetings, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A meetings, local civic association meetings and the quarterly GW/Community Advisory Committee meetings held since 2007.
“We will also engage in many direct talks with individuals and encourage those with concerns to contact us,” she added.
The continued campus development will follow the strategies defined in the 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan. The 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan sets forth a framework for development of the Foggy Bottom Campus over the next 20 years to accommodate the university’s forecasted academic and student housing needs, address concerns of the surrounding community, and reflect transit-oriented development and smart growth planning principles.