Georgia Tech's campus is evolving to provide a better campus experience for all. Students, faculty, and staff should be aware of the following projects.

Finished or Nearly Complete

As the summer comes to a close, several construction projects are wrapping up or have been completed. Students, faculty, and staff can look forward to enjoying newly renovated spaces, improved parking, new headquarters for the Georgia Tech Police Department, and one of the most sustainable buildings in the Southeast.

Georgia Tech Police Department Building

The new state-of-the-art 30,000-square-foot facility, located at the corner of Hemphill Avenue and 10th Street, unifies the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD). Now, instead of operating from five separate buildings across campus, all units within the GTPD can better collaborate to keep the campus safe and to engage with surrounding neighborhoods. The building features an airy, light-filled entrance lobby, a new operations center, a multipurpose/emergency center, and three additional conference rooms that allow for meetings and internal training. 

Dalney Street Project

The Dalney Street project, located between Dalney and Greenfield Streets NW, has two components: the parking deck and the office building. 

The new W22 Dalney Street Parking Deck will open with space for 800 vehicles and the potential for future vertical expansion. The deck will serve the Krone Engineered Biosystems Building, the Marcus Nanotechnology Building, and the BioTech Quad. Its opening is scheduled to coincide with the new parking permit year on Thursday, August 15.

Adjacent to the parking deck, the Dalney Street Office Building will house offices for the Georgia Tech Research Corporation and Grants and Contracts teams. Paint, tile, lighting, plumbing, flooring, and elevators have reached substantial completion. The lower level of the building is designed to support potential future infrastructure for a water reclamation system. Landscaping and signage are complete, and occupants will begin moving in during the coming weeks.

Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

With its focus on becoming the most environmentally advanced education and research facility of its size and kind in the Southeast, The Kendeda Building has made significant progress toward its goal of opening this fall. The installation of 913 photovoltaic panels is complete along with the installation of the potable water system, which is ready for testing. Installation of the roof garden system is in progress, and reclaimed slate roof tiles from the Alumni House are being used to tile the restrooms.

Meanwhile, innovative maintenance plans are being developed, which will allow this unique building to operate in accordance with the Living Building Challenge 3.1 certification requirements. These efforts are coinciding with the finalizing of the exterior envelope as well as with the installation of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and compost systems. The building’s soft opening is scheduled for September, with a dedication and open house to follow on October 24.

Ferst Drive Streetscape

Ferst Drive Streetscape improvements surrounding The Kendeda Building and the future Eco-Commons area include upgraded sidewalks, new street and pedestrian lighting, and a repaved portion of the roadway. A new westbound drop-off area will be added, five new willow oaks will be planted, and a new emergency blue light will be installed. Additionally, 140 feet of new sidewalk will be laid on the State Street side, along with a small granite wall on the corner of Ferst Drive and State Street. Work is expected to be complete in August.

In Progress

These larger capital projects may take longer to complete but will improve resource efficiency, support new teaching and learning methods, and improve comfort for the campus community.

Howey Physics Lecture Halls and Structural Improvements

In May, renovation of the four large lecture halls in the Howey Physics Building, one of the most heavily used instructional spaces on campus, began. The first stage of renovation has been addressing many of the building’s infrastructure issues. The lobby floor slab has been poured, masonry repair is nearly complete, and chilled and hot water piping is being replaced, along with the assembly of mechanical units. 

Because the Howey Physics Building is a hub of learning activity, work will stop at the end of the summer to allow classes to take place in the lecture halls during the Fall 2019 semester. Future renovation stages will include updating the restroom configuration, renovating the floor plans of the lecture halls, and incorporating state-of-the-art technology and sound engineering within the building. The renovation of the four lecture halls will begin during the Spring 2020 semester.

Lab Ventilation Project

This initiative will improve the functionality of approximately 150 laboratory spaces in the Ford Environmental Science and Technology and U.A. Whitaker buildings by reducing energy consumption and creating a safer and more comfortable laboratory environment. Modifications will address demand-based ventilation strategies, HVAC controls and monitoring, and deferred maintenance issues. Renovation is expected to be complete by October 2020.

Library Next Renewal Project

Crosland Tower opened with much excitement in January, then the second phase of the Library Next renewal project began with the closure and renovation of the Price Gilbert building. Additional work will include glazing to the bridge connecting the two buildings and brickwork to the east façade. Completion of the overall project is expected by Spring 2020.

Technology Square Parking Deck

The Technology Square Parking Deck (E81) that serves the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center and Scheller College of Business is undergoing maintenance. Work should conclude in early September. Parking is permitted in the deck during maintenance. 

Just Beginning

The following projects are just getting started with more activity to come in the months ahead.

Campus Center Project

The Campus Center project will provide a comprehensive renovation of Georgia Tech’s Student Center complex. The current facility will be transformed into a broadly focused center to better serve the needs of the entire campus. Ample and effective space will be created and dedicated to social interaction, relaxation, creative expression, and support of our diverse community. 

Phase 1, which focuses on the four new buildings, launched in May and included infrastructure work on stormwater and sanitary sewer drains. The upgrades to the parking deck, including a new entrance from Ferst Drive modifying the internal circulation and converting it to a mixed-use deck (passes and paid spaces), are complete. Utility duct work across Ferst Drive has been inspected, and the roadway has been restored. No further disruption is expected across Ferst Drive.

Demolition of the Beringause Building

The demolition of the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD)’s former headquarters located at the corner of Ferst Drive and Hemphill Avenue will help make way for the new Eco-Commons green space. The governor of Georgia has approved the demolition, which is slated for August and is contingent on the completion of the Dalney Street Parking Deck that is to be used for GTPD staff parking.

Coming Soon

As part of the Campus Master Plan, the following project will soon break ground – finally coming to life after years of planning.

Eco-Commons Sector

The overall Eco-Commons concept encompasses approximately 80 acres and runs throughout campus. The portion of the Eco-Commons currently under construction will complement The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. This particular swath of land consists of approximately 8 acres and includes a performance landscape and passive greenspace that will become a centerpiece for non-structured activities enhancing campus life. Demolition, grading, and infiltration system activities are underway.  

Upon completion, the project will incorporate urban agriculture and a stream channel to mimic historic waterflow while capturing stormwater for reuse and infiltration, as part of Georgia Tech’s goal to reduce stormwater runoff by 50%. A network of stormwater utilities and reclaimed water utilities will be installed as a part of this project.