A rendering of the building that will replace Robinson Hall.
Construction is set to begin this summer on the Core Campus Project, an ambitious venture that will transform the center of George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus into a vibrant, globally connected hub for intellectual exploration
Students, faculty and staff can expect to see plenty of activity when they return for the 2018-19 academic year as the university begins to replace Robinson Hall with a six-story, 218,000-square-foot building with modern classrooms and state-of-the-art technology. The project will also include added green space, a large and redesigned Wilkins Plaza, and necessary upgrades to modernize the university’s infrastructure.
Check out the project videos here and here.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience during the time of construction, and look forward to seeing the project transform the center of campus when completed,” George Mason Senior Vice President Jennifer (J.J.) Wagner Davis said.
The project will be done in phases to minimize disruptions, said Cathy Pinskey, program director for Mason Facilities. The demolition of Robinson A is scheduled to begin in November. Care will be taken, Pinskey said, to control dust and noise.
For students, faculty and staff returning for the new academic year, the most visible aspect will be the ongoing demolition of student housing off Aquia Creek Lane, where the Core Campus Project’s staging area will be located.
Also visible will be:
- A new construction access road from Aquia Creek Lane between Sub I and Harris Theatre into the courtyard, which will be closed throughout the project.
- The fencing-off of construction zones around portions of SUB I, Robinson A, Harris Theatre, Thompson Hall, College Hall, South Plaza and Aquia Creek Lane, which will remain open.
- Designated and well-marked walkways to direct foot traffic around construction zones and to and from the Mason Pond parking deck.
“Will there be some disruptions? Yes,” Pinskey said. “But we’re going to do our best to minimize disruption during peak class hours.”
“And if somebody sees something they think is not right, please let the Facilities department know,” said Frank Strike, vice president for Mason Facilities. “We have an extremely competent professional staff of architects, engineers and inspectors that will take immediate corrective action to properly address any situation.”
Go to robinson.gmu.edu for updates, information and a contact portal to ask questions.