Georgia State University Plans Campus Transformation

Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga., recently received an $80-million gift that will go toward the largest campus transformation project in university history, according to a news release. The contribution from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation will go toward a planned $107 million in campus upgrades across nine projects in downtown Atlanta. The Building Pathways for Success Initiative was approved by the University Board of Regents’ Committee on Real Estate and Facilities in mid-November.

“The Woodruff Foundation, one of Georgia’s greatest philanthropic institutions and one of downtown’s most important partners, is entrusting us and our University System of Georgia colleagues to act boldly over the next two years to realize a new vision for our downtown campus,” said University President M. Brian Blake. “We are grateful for their support and for their partnership in sharing this vision for a college town downtown.”

The projects are centered in Hurt Park and Woodruff Park, two marquee greenspaces on campus. Developments in Hurt Park include removing Sparks Hall to merge the existing campus Greenway into a new district. The Greenway will feature an elevated plaza and enhanced walkways. The 100 Edgewood building will receive a new dining hall and gathering space, as well as renovations to the first four floors to create classroom space and interconnecting stairways. The façade of the Arts and Humanities building will also see an upgrade.

At Woodruff Park, the 25 Park Place building and plaza will receive new sidewalks, a realigned streetcar platform, and façade improvements. These upgrades will connect the facility to Broad Street and the Aderhold Learning Center, according to the news release.

“This project will breathe new life into our downtown area and into the City of Atlanta,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “We all want to make sure that downtown is brighter and more inviting. And as an alumnus of Georgia State, I want to see this campus flourish. This is a great way to connect these parks and to make sure that people have an enjoyable experience downtown.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • Cleveland High School Breaks Ground on Modernization

    Portland Public Schools in Portland, Ore., recently announced that construction has begun on a modernization project for Cleveland High School, according to a news release. The existing building will be replaced with a new, 300,000-square-foot facility at the same site.

  • TCU Marks Campus Expansion Milestone

    Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, recently held a topping-out ceremony to mark progress on a major campus expansion effort including four new residential facilities and a five-story parking garage, according to a news release.

  • New Jersey Day School Opens New Science & Entrepreneurship Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIG Architecture on the 32,000 square foot facility, completed on a 17-month construction timeline in time for the beginning of the new school year.