Construction projects are nothing new for GW students and the Foggy Bottom community. In the past decade, GW has seen the building of Duques Hall, Ivory Tower, Potomac House, West Hall and more. Now you can add another building to the long list of GW’s construction boom: Science and Engineering Hall.
Although GW has been busy building recently, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has not received new facilities in more than 50 years. Current lab and classroom space is outdated and spread across multiple locations around campus. School officials expect the new science center to boost the science and engineering program's appeal.
"Having a strong, vibrant engineering program at GW will position GW as the engineering and science hub in the heart of the nation's capital, allow us to attract the best and brightest students and faculty and help GW grow into a top tier comprehensive institution," said SEAS Dean David Dolling.
The new building will incorporate teaching labs that use new methods for hands-on learning, breakout spaces for students, as well as several highly specialized research laboratories including a three-story-tall high bay. The high bay is one of five facilities to be built in the new building and will include a crane capable of moving 20 tons of material from a loading dock throughout the building and a “strong floor and strong wall,” structures that can withstand intense material testing.
Located between 22nd and 23rd and H and I streets, the new building will replace the recently torn down University Parking Garage. Despite losing the parking garage, the University will not completely lose parking space as the new building will have four floors of underground parking.
In April, the University began moving UPG parkers to spaces in The Avenue’s parking garage and the Kennedy Center. The University will add 380 spaces under the Science and Engineering Hall to accompany 178 spaces under South Hall and 362 GW spaces at the Avenue. Overall the University will have a minimum of 2,800 parking spots at various locations.
In April, the University began moving UPG parkers to spaces in The Avenue’s parking garage and the Kennedy Center. The University will add 380 spaces under the Science and Engineering Hall to accompany 178 spaces under South Hall and 362 GW spaces at the Avenue. Overall the University will have a minimum of 2,800 parking spots at various locations.
Conceived in 2007, the idea for the project was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees in a unanimous vote. Before voting, the board reviewed design and cost estimates and listened to university leaders about how the complex will affect essential University functions such as recruitment, research, and learning. The demolition of the parking garage began in June of this year and will continue into the fall. When all is said and done the building should be open for use in January 2015 at a cost of $275 million. Although the University is now more than $1 billion in debt, the project will be funded by lease payments from The Avenue, contracts supporting research and various philanthropic gifts from the GW community.
It's great news that there would be Science and Engineering Hall in 2015. I hope that everyone in the construction had construction safety training. I can't wait for this to finish.
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