Add as a preferred source on Google

Howard University Launches $785M Campus Master Plan

  • By Matt Jones
  • 02/09/23

Howard University in Washington, D.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for significant renovations to the 109-year-old Myrtilla Miner Building, according to a news release. The renovations mark the first step in a $785-million campus master plan that includes the construction of three new academic buildings and renovations to others by 2026.

After the restoration is complete, the Miner Building will become a shared space for interdisciplinary education between the Howard University School of Education and the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science, the news release reports. The Miner Building was originally built between 1913–14 and has a place on the National Register of Historic Places for both its historical and architectural significance. The press release reports that the three-story building has gone almost unused for decades because of its need for renovations.

“This really is a full-circle moment in Howard’s history,” said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA. “As we embark on this venture to create a space that meets the needs of the 21st-century classroom, a space that connects educators and students at such critical moments in their subsequent learning journeys, we recognize the significance of being able to do that in a building that holds a legacy of educating some of the nation’s first Black teachers. Moreover, as we work to preserve that legacy, we also understand the importance of preserving the most beautiful and historic parts of the physical space, through the halls of which countless changemakers have crossed.”

The renovation work will preserve the building’s hallmark architectural features including two-story arched windows, limestone baseboards along the corridors, and two grand staircases. Most of the work will be improving the building’s interior.

“The restoration of the Miner building represents an exciting step in our journey to revitalize Howard University’s campus,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Rashad Young. “We have a fantastic team of dedicated builders, architects, and project managers led by our Real Estate Development and Capital Asset Management (REDCAM) division that will ensure this project does justice to the incredible history of this building, and that it is set up to provide the School of Education and Middle School a top-tier educational experience.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Fayetteville State University Opens New Residence Hall

    Fayetteville State University (FSU) in Fayetteville, N.C., recently completed construction on a new $50-million residence hall, according to a news release. The university partnered with KWK/Jenkins • Peer Architects on the design of Bronco Pride Hall.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • sapling sprouting from a cracked stone

    Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

    Facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

Digital Edition