A man wears a mask while pressure washing the brick around stairs on campus.
University News

Students Greeted by Upgrades for Safety, General Maintenance Made Over the Summer

September 10, 2020

Residence halls and common spaces were upgraded for safety and general maintenance over the summer.

“I think the most visible updates are in the residence halls – the buildings, common areas, kitchens, even the stairwells, says Lori Baldwin, interim vice president of planning and facilities management. “It was important to upgrade the HVAC systems, for example, to ensure proper air circulation to keep the university community safe from mold and other allergens as well as COVID-19.”

Open area showcases living room furniture and dining area in the background.
Renovated kitchen in Village A residence hall.
Renovated bathroom in residence hall.
A man works on the heating and cooling unit in one of the reesidence halls.
side-by-side image of an old, scratched desk and a new one
Side-by-side view of the parking lot before and after renovations and construction
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The pandemic has caused less foot traffic on campus but also has accelerated construction projects in residence halls and other buildings.

The university renovated all 123 units in Village A, which was last renovated in 1992. The kitchens feature substantial upgrades, and plank flooring replaces carpet to accommodate residents with common allergies.

New vanities, faucets and showerheads have been installed in Village A.

Facilities workers upgraded the HVAC systems in residence halls across campus to ensure proper air circulation. The upgrade is designed to keep the university community safe from mold and other allergens as well as COVID-19

A before and after photo shows a sample of the furniture updates made in the 12 residence halls as well as a few campus townhouses and the Bunn Intercultural Center.

Fewer cars and people on campus provided an opportunity to refresh the parking garages.

Repairs to the roofs of the student residence known as Alumni Square and renovation of all apartments in the Alumni Square West Building, took place in 2019.

The upgrades are part of an approved five-year, $75 million deferred-maintenance plan the board of directors passed in February 2019.

The plan was designed to improve the conditions of Georgetown’s existing infrastructure with a focus on student residences – through a $50 million one-time addition and a phased increase in annual spending from $5 to $25 million over a five-year period.

“Staff members and contractors were on campus through the summer were simply amazing in getting these spaces ready for our campus community on schedule,” Baldwin adds, “and in many cases ahead of schedule.”

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