Mason's Masonry: University Expands with Population

By Broadside Interim News Editor Noah Martin

Major construction projects are currently in process on all George Mason campuses to compensate for the University’s staggering growth over the past three decades: the Fairfax campus is adding multiple new buildings and undertaking multiple renovation projects; the Arlington campus is adding a new facility; and the Prince William campus is adding a new performing arts center and biomedical research lab.

There are many notable recently completed and ongoing construction projects on the Mason Fairfax campus. The Northeast Sector Development (NESD), designed by Hanbury, Evans, Wright, Vlattas + Company, is the largest construction project in Mason’s history. The multi-faceted construction measures 450,000 SF; includes living and dining facilities; and will open the campus’s second fitness center. The total operating budget of the NESD venture was over $75 million. Some of the complex’s dining facilities are still undergoing construction.

An additional parking deck at the north end of campus, which will provide 1650—much needed—parking spaces and new Public Safety office, is currently in the design stage. The parking garage will redirect and lengthen the Patriot Circle. Construction is scheduled for completion by May 2009. The project was designed by Wisnewski Blair & Associates and construction will be carried out by Donley’s LLC.

The 20 year old Patriot Center will undergo two phases of renovations within the next year; construction in phase one of the renovations will be completed by spring of 2009 and phase two of the renovations are scheduled for completion by fall of 2009.

Phase one of the renovations on the Patriot Center will expand the north, south, and west entrances. The mechanical, electrical, and IT infrastructure will be updated along with the entrance expansion. The total project budget of the phase one renovations slightly exceeds $13 million.

Phase two of the renovations will include a 20,400 SF add-on: it will provide a practice facility for the basketball team, a weight room for athletes, and a home for the University’s Academic Advising Center.

Mason is also giving its Arlington campus a substantial modernization. With a budget of $73 million, the new Arlington campus building and parking structure will supply faculty and students with faculty offices, classrooms, computer labs, an auditorium, a library, and parking space.

The future Arlington facility will measure a combined 416,000 SF (256,000 SF building and a 160,000 SF parking structure). Construction on the complex began in October 2007 and is scheduled for completion by June 2010. The facility was designed by Smith Group and the building is being carried out by the Manhattan Construction Company.