Beginning this spring, signs will go up across the southwest sector of campus to indicate the start of the Campus Center construction project. The design-build team is working to finalize the project details as campus prepares for the anticipated impact of the construction.

“Throughout construction of the Campus Center, our aim will be to minimize and communicate about the disruption to campus life as much as possible,” says Lindsay Bryant, senior director of the Student Center, “but with a project this size, some disruption is inevitable.”

Before the larger construction efforts begin, the project team will begin preparing the site in the next month. This work will include:

• Installation of utility infrastructure across Ferst Drive between Regents Drive and the Campus Recreation Center,
• Alterations to the southwest and southeast corners of the W02 parking deck to prepare for a new entrance and exit that will be in effect this summer, and
• Intermittent work in the Area 3 (visitor parking) and W03 parking lots to inspect utility lines.

Construction activity notices will be available in advance of these projects. The campus community can find more information about the Campus Center project at reinnovation.studentcenter.gatech.edu and the Facilities Management campus construction webpage.

About the Campus Center Project

The Campus Center project will encompass a 15-acre site from the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) to the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, with four new buildings accompanying a significant renovation to the existing Student Center. The outdoor space between buildings will be punctuated by a series of walks, plazas, and opportunities for social, creative, intellectual, and restorative engagement.

To minimize disruption to the campus community and help ensure continuity of services during construction, the design-build team came up with a staged approach that consists of two construction phases. While details about Phase II of the project are being finalized, the team anticipates completing the entire Campus Center project in late 2022.

Phase I of the construction project will focus on the development of the four new buildings: an exhibition hall, two pavilions (one for Paper & Clay and one for Health Initiatives and the new Center for Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE) program), and a standalone café. The Phase I site will encompass the Area 3 (visitor parking) and W03 parking lots, and parts of the Instructional Center (IC) Lawn.

Pedestrian routes between Stamps Health Services, the CRC and IC, the Student Center, Ferst Center, and the Student Services (Flag) Building are expected to be disrupted beginning this summer through Summer 2020. Pedestrians should look for wayfinding signage along the construction fencing. In addition, detailed maps will be available on the project website reinnovation.studentcenter.gatech.edu.

“Given the particularly high level of impact this will have on the campus community, we ask that folks be mindful and respectful of the site, so everyone can remain safe during the course of construction,” said John DuConge, senior project manager for Facilities Management.

When Phase I of the project is complete, the new exhibition hall and pavilions will provide temporary space for the Student Center’s critical functions (i.e. dining, mail services, student organizations, and retail) during Phase II. Phase II of the Campus Center project will focus on renovating the existing Student Center building and is expected to last from Summer 2020 through late 2022.

More information about the Campus Center project, including town halls and site tours, can be found at reinnovation.studentcenter.gatech.edu.