The entire Georgetown Main and Medical Center Campus will be closed beginning October 1 for construction, according to an email sent by Vice President of Planning & Facilities Management Robin Morey.
In addition to work on the Northeast Triangle Residence Hall, the Former Jesuit Residence, and the Thompson Athletic Center, wrote Morey, the University will press ahead with the most controversial portion of its 2015 campus plan: the elimination of any open space large enough to fit a backhoe. As a result, explained Morey, Tondorf Road, Library Walk, 37th Street, Red Square, and virtually any other possible thoroughfare through the University will be closed for the duration of the project.
With phase one of construction complete, the University is moving forward with its plan to shut down the entire campus.
“We anticipate this may cause some minor inconvenience,” said Morey, “but the students, faculty, and staff we surveyed have indicated that they are willing to sacrifice some amenities–including dorms, classrooms, and offices–in return for a reduction in noise for the permanent residents of Burleith.”
Morey added that several GUTS bus routes will be re-routed, including the Dupont bus, which will now run between Dupont Circle and the School of Continuing Studies Campus in central DC, and the Rosslyn bus, which will move from the southwest parking lot to the University’s SFS Campus in Qatar.
Student reaction to the news has been mixed. Kelly Sharp, a sophomore, said that, “I think it’s great the Georgetown is expanding, but it would have been nice to have a little more notice. As it is, I only have a few days to pack up my stuff before access to my dorm is blocked for nine to twelve months.” Added Sharp, “And I only just moved in last month.”
Morey concluded her email with several tips to stay safe during the construction, advising students to, “Avoid the area between Prospect Street and Resorvoir Road,” and to “report any unobstructed entrances to the campus to GUPD immediately.”
Although the iconic Healy and Copley halls will be undergoing extensive facelifts, University spokesperson Stacy Kerr said in a statement that, “at this point, we see no need to renovate any part of Lauinger Library.”
