Active Construction Updates

Georgetown University is committed to developing a more vibrant living and learning campus through new spaces and improvements. Reference this webpage to stay informed about ongoing larger construction impacts on the campus community, including:

  • Project details and timelines
  • Potential impacts on campus areas
  • Noise restrictions

You can also view the campus map to navigate construction zones and plan your commute.

Questions regarding university projects listed below or elsewhere on campus can be sent to construction@georgetown.edu. For MedStar Georgetown University Hospital related-construction please refer to their webpage .

Hilltop Updates

  • Dates: Fall Semester 2024
  • Event: The James J. Gilroy, III basketball courts at Yates Field House are being replaced and will be offline for the fall semester. The rest of Yates facilities remain open and operational for all other activities and events. During the renovation and removal of the Yates basketball court floor, mercury was detected underneath the flooring. The levels were not found to be hazardous to our community. The abatement will take place within a secure and contained tented area. The contractor completing this work will perform abatement work in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Impact: Some noise can be expected as a result of this project. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. ADA pathways will be maintained during the duration of this project. The basketball courts will be offline during this time, but other program options have been made available. For information on alternatives, please visit Campus Recreation’s website.
  • For more information, read our recent message.

  • Start Date: November 29, 2024
  • End Date: November 30, 2024
  • Event: The willow oak in Red Square is in decaying condition, and needs to be removed soon. A Tree Risk Assessment Report was prepared by a certified arborist who recommended a tree removal. We plan to remove the tree over Thanksgiving break (tentatively Nov. 29-30) in order to minimize disruptions to our community. We expect to salvage wood for future use for the university.
  • Impact: During the tree removal, Red Square will be closed off and the area surrounding  the tree will be barricaded until a new tree can be replanted in December (over the winter break). We plan to relocate a tree from the east side of Healy Hall to the circular planting bed in Red Square.

  • Start date: Nov. 20, 2024
  • End Date: Nov. 27, 2024
  • Event: We will be repairing the outdoor stairs to the Dahlgren Memorial Library/Pre-Clinical Science Building, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 20. During this construction, one side of the stairs will be closed and the other will be accessible.
  • Impact: Work will take place on weekdays from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. There will be loud noise during this time, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

  • Start date: Nov. 18, 2024
  • End Date: Early January
  • Event: Phase I of the Mechanical Hot Water Piping Replacement Project is set to begin Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 in the New Research Building. This project will take place during non-business hours, Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m.-4 a.m. 
  • Impact: There will be temporary protections used to protect offices and labs while work is taking place, and all equipment and temporary protection will be cleaned up and removed at the end of each work day by 4 a.m. 
  • Impacted Rooms: The below dates are tentative and could change slightly based on how the project progresses.
    • Ground floor – Loop A Piping (Nov. 18-27)
      • WG07 
      • WG22
      • WG23 
    • Ground floor – Loop B Piping (Dec. 2-12)
      • WG03
      • WG12
      • WG14 
      • WG05 
    • Podium level – Loop A Piping (Dec. 16-26)
      • WP18B
      • WP18 
      • WP22 
      • WP22A 
      • WP24B 
      • WP26 
      • WP27 
      • WP23 
      • WP19 
      • WP20 
    • Podium level – Loop B Piping (Dec. 30 thru Jan. 9)
      • WP07 
      • WP08 
      • WP16 
      • WP09 
      • WP10 
      • WP13 
      • WP15

  • Start Date: November 14, 2024
  • End Date: November 17, 2024
  • Event: We will have a scheduled steam outage to upgrade the ventilation system for the New Research Building beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 through 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17. 
  • Impact: Individuals will be unable to use autoclaves or hot water during this outage and the building will be colder due to lack of heat.

  • Start Date: November 7, 2024
  • End Date: Ongoing
  • Event: There is currently a domestic water leak impacting Lombardi Circle, the driveway between the Lombardi lobby and the Leavey Center. Our team is on-site working to repair the leak. The excavation at Lombardi Circle (currently outside of the entrance to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center) will be immediately moved to the south side of the Circle, by the former hotel lobby in the Leavey Center, for additional repairs. Two way traffic will be maintained by flaggers around Lombardi Circle. Access from Canal Road to the Leavey Garage will not be impacted. W Road NW (the road between Pasquerilla Healthcare Center (PHC) and the Leavey Center) will be closed to vehicular traffic; however, it will remain open to pedestrians. 
  • Impacts: GUTS will continue to arrive and depart from the McDonough Bus Turnaround during this work in Lombardi Circle, and OTM will continue to provide shuttle service between the Leavey Center and the McDonough Bus Turnaround. If you have any questions about GUTS impacts, please contact otm@georgetown.edu. 
  • Outages: A water outage will impact the New Research Building (NRB) from 6 p.m. this evening, Tuesday, Nov. 12, until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, Wednesday, Nov. 13. Research or other work with hazardous materials is not permitted during this outage due to the unavailability of emergency showers and eyewash stations. Restrooms, ice machines, sinks, autoclaves, deionized water systems, and any other equipment attached to a domestic water source will also be affected. There will be no running water available, including toilets, showers, sinks and labs, in the building.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13 update 10:30 a.m.: As a part of the ongoing work to repair the water leak at Lombardi Circle, Planning & Facilities Management moved excavation activities from Lombardi circle to East West Road. We will be maintaining, with flaggers, one way traffic through West Road and past Lombardi circle

  • Start Date: November 12, 2024
  • End Date: Approximately eight weeks
  • Event: We will be restoring the main entrance doors at the south and north facade of Med-Dent.
  • Impacts: This work will not impact access into the Med-Dent facility, and signage will be posted to direct entrants to the proper doors when required.  The restoration will take place during non-business hours, from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be some noise as a result of this work.

  • Start Date: November 4, 2024
  • End Date: One week
  • Event: Asbestos-containing material (ACM) abatement work will take place in room GM-06 of the Preclinical Science Building.
  • Impact: Asbestos is only hazardous when disturbed, therefore, the work area will be tented and monitored, including any access points to the ventilation system. During the abatement work, a “negative air” machine draws potentially contaminated air across a series of filters, with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, to remove any hazardous fibers and dust. In addition to ongoing visual monitoring and periodic air sampling, there will be a third-party industrial hygienist involved to monitor the process and also conduct final clearance sampling. This work will take place within a secure and contained tented area, and the rest of the Preclinical Science Building will remain open.

  • Start Date: November 5, 2024
  • End Date: Four weeks
  • Event: As a part of the ongoing waterproofing and site improvement project, Harbin Terrace will be undergoing construction as part of Phase II, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, lasting approximately four weeks. 
  • Impact: Fencing will be installed on a section of the terrace from the main entrance of Harbin to the railing overlooking Cooper Field. The fencing will restrict access to Harbin 103 via the side entrance; however, the main entrance to Harbin will remain open. We do not anticipate noisy work, and the working hours are from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Please visit the Harbin Terrace Landing Page for more information.

  • Start Date: October 28, 2024
  • End Date: December, 2025
  • Event: As a part of our ongoing efforts to enhance and upgrade the university’s heating and cooling systems, we are replacing three cooling towers at Georgetown’s Central Heating and Cooling Plant on the Hilltop Campus.
  • Impact: Construction hours are 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Construction will adhere to quiet periods of reduced noise during the hours of 6-8 a.m., Monday through Friday, and 6-9 a.m. on Saturdays, and during study days and final exams. Some noise may be heard during construction hours in nearby buildings. A fence will be installed on the exterior of the Plant. There will be several dates when one lane of West Road will be closed due to construction vehicle access. Pedestrian and ADA access will be maintained with modified pathways. These pathways can be found on the campus map.
  • Upcoming Closures:
    • Monday, Oct. 28 – Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024: Intermittent single-lane closure of West Road in-front of the Cooling Plant and closure of the alley between McDonough Gym and the Central Plant.

  • Start Date: October 21, 2024
  • End Date: April 2025
  • Event: Beginning Oct. 21, 2024, we will be renovating the Center for Health Equity (GM-06). This project is expected to end in late April.
  • Impact: Throughout the project, there will be construction and debris removal in surrounding corridor areas, resulting in noise in adjacent spaces. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. During this work, GM-06 will not be accessible.

  • Start Date: September, 2024
  • End Date: November, 2024
  • Event: Site utility improvements on a portion of Healy Lawn, Healy Circle and Copley Lawn.
  • Impact: In addition to the current fenced-in section of Healy Circle, two sections of Copley Lawn will be closed for construction. The diagonal sidewalk through Copley Lawn will be modified temporarily during this phase. The sidewalk in front of the patio of White-Gravenor Hall will be closed. Modifications will be made to maintain ADA accessibility across Copley Lawn and into and around White-Gravenor. The fenced-in section of Healy Circle will reopen at the completion of this phase.
  • Please view the project landing page for the most up-to-date information: Project webpage

  • Start Date: August, 2024
  • End Date: December, 2025
  • Event: Phase 1 — Phase 1 work will relocate the Tech Services offices from the third floor to the former Woodstock Library on the lower level. Some construction noise may occur during work hours. The stairway that connects Lot 9 to Village A will be closed. Pedestrians traveling from lot 9 to Library Walk will either need to go up the steps next to Village A at Prospect St. or go around the east side of Lauinger Library. Phase 1 begins Monday, August 12 and is expected to be completed in January 2025. Phase 2 — Phase 2 is the expansion and renovation of Pierce Reading Room. Pierce Reading Room will be unavailable for use throughout the duration of Phase 2. Phase 2 is expected to begin in January 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in December 2025.
  • Impact: Work hours will be 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Noisy interior work will start at 5 a.m. and will stop at 9 a.m. Noisy work outside the library will not begin until 9 a.m. Noisy work outside the library may be heard in nearby buildings.

  • Start Date: August 26, 2024
  • End Date: February, 2025
  • Event: Renovation project on Healy Ground floor.
  • Impact: Work hours are 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. The ground floor will be completely offline during this time. Noise disruptions are expected, and direct adjacent occupants have been notified separately. Noisy work will not begin until 7 a.m.
  • Update: As of November 8, a section south of Healy Hall main entrance will have temporary fencing blocked off for construction staging.

  • Start Date: July 22, 2024
  • End Date: End of November
  • Event: A vacant lab space on the fourth floor of the Reiss Science Building will be transformed into a hoteling and meeting area, designed to accommodate user groups shifting towards a hybrid work model. To improve accessibility, a new ADA-compliant women’s restroom will be added and the men’s restroom will be renovated. The project will include significant upgrades to the outdated heating and cooling systems to enhance comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Impact: During this work, occasional construction noise may be heard throughout the building. Additionally, one of the elevators will be dedicated to construction use, which, although still available to the public, will limit its general availability. The hours for this project are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    • August 19-21, 2024: The contractors will be working in the Blommer Science Library from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will be performing core drilling and patching existing holes in the slab. There may be some noise disruptions during this time.

  • Start Date: January 30, 2024
  • End Date: December, 2024
  • Event: There will be a pedestrian reroute due to test pitting and underground utility connections on Tondorf Road near the entrance to Darnall Hall. 
  • Impact: The reroute will take pedestrians along the sidewalk at the exterior perimeter of the MedStar Verstandig Pavilion. Access to Darnall, Epicurean, and the Student Health Center will be available along Tondorf Rd traveling south from St. Mary’s Hall. The reroute along the Pavilion provides ADA-accessible access.

  • Start Date: May 2023
  • End Date: August 2025
  • Event: Construction of a new residential hall featuring 780 beds, expanded health and wellness spaces, fully-equipped apartments with kitchens, increased space for CAPS, amenity areas, and an exterior courtyard.
  • Impact:
    • Noise: Project hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with quiet hours (below 50db) until 8 a.m on Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. Noise and vibration monitoring are in place throughout this project.
    • Accessibility: Ongoing construction impacts can be viewed on the campus map. Caution should be exercised at all times.

Capitol Campus Updates

  • Start Date: Ongoing
  • End Date: Fall 2025
  • Event: 111 Massachusetts Avenue NW is expected to be used as a multi-use education facility for new learning hubs and expanded programming, including programs in the School of Continuing Studies, McDonough School of Business, the Earth Commons Institute, the School of Health, the School of Nursing, and executive education programs.
  • Impact: Pedestrians will be rerouted around construction zones. We expect this project will result in some noise.

  • Start Date: May 2024
  • End Date: November 2024
  • Event: Contractors have begun excavation work on the north and south sides of McDonough Hall adjacent to the F and G Street entrances along New Jersey Avenue.
  • Impact: The G St. and F St. doors will be limited to emergency exits only. Please use the McDonough 2nd Street doors to access McDonough Hall. Signage will be in place to assist with re-routing for faculty, staff, and students as some departments and service desks within the building will need to temporarily relocate. Those areas and services include:
    • Department of Public Safety Administration – Suite 102 (relocating to the lower level of 500 First Street)
    • IST/GoCard Service Desk – Suite 152 (relocating to McDonough 150)
    • Parking/Facilities Management – Suite 154 (relocating to McDonough 475)

  • Start Date: July 29, 2024
  • End Date: Approximately eleven weeks
  • Event: Contractors will begin concrete chipping activities on the north and south interior corridors of McDonough Hall on the Capitol Campus, adjacent to the G St. and F St. exit doors on the first floor (this impacts the “East addition” doors, not the northern doors across from the EBW Law Library steps or the clinic area entrance/exit).
  • Impact: The G St. and F St. doors will be limited to emergency exits only. Please use the McDonough 2nd Street doors to access McDonough Hall. Signage will be in place to assist with re-routing for faculty, staff, and students as some departments and service desks within the building will need to temporarily relocate. Those areas and services include:
    • Department of Public Safety Administration – Suite 102 (relocating to the lower level of 500 First Street)
    • IST/GoCard Service Desk – Suite 152 (relocating to McDonough 150)
    • Parking/Facilities Management – Suite 154 (relocating to McDonough 475)