Square 80/Green Plaza

As an open space amenity of the 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan, GW agreed to convert the existing surface parking lot adjacent to South Hall (Square 80/mid-block) into a green and open space.

This 32,010 square foot area (between 21st & 22nd Streets/F & G Streets) previously served as parking for 30+ vehicles. This new campus amenity features more than 20 trees, an activity lawn, trellised seating and several small landscaped areas. The space will be open to use by members of the GW and Foggy Bottom/West End communities.

The project greens the area by providing open green space and sustainable features. The site is planted with native and adapted plantings which require minimal watering, since they are acclimated to the local climate. Also, it was designed to contain and re-use storm-water via three cisterns for water collection, runnels to direct storm-water from impervious surface into tree-boxes, and increased use of previous paving surfaces.

The new plaza on Square 80 opened in April 2010. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Construction Updates

2010

May 26, 2010
Project construction is complete with remaining water fountain installation anticipated for completion in coming weeks. No further updates will be added unless needed. For more information on this project, email [email protected].

May 12, 2010
Construction will finish later this week with removal of remaining site fencing and commissioning of water fountain. Additional workers may be sporadically on site for several additional weeks to make final adjustments and repairs.

May 5, 2010
Final finishes and installation was completed last week and barrier fences were moved May 3 to publicly open space. Fencing remains around central green area to protect newly-laid sod and allow it to root over next several weeks. Continuing this week will be some final alterations to the site topography, ensuring clean-out of the storm-water system, commissioning of the irrigation pump, and final operation of fountain equipment. Final site clean-up should involve no noticeable noise and will be finished next week.

April 28, 2010
The project is anticipated for substantial completion this week with minor completion work occurring over next two weeks, including commissioning of the irrigation and fountain systems. Remaining work this week includes: plantings throughout site; paving on walkway and ramp adjacent Strong Hall; final concrete pours, and; sod installation. Due to unanticipated field conditions, jack-hammering work will occur on April 28 but be completed by 4:30 p.m.

April 14, 2010
Site paving continues on west end of site. Specialty granite paving arrives this week for installation. Work has begun on memorial garden behind 2121 and 2123 F Street. Curb cut installation adjacent Strong Hall continues as does rough grading of green space. Final cut, sub-grade, and rough-in of G Street path between rear of Strong Hall and G Street townhouses will finish this week.

April 7, 2010
Completed work includes: painting/stucco of 2121 F Street and Guthridge exteriors; rough grading of memorial garden/placement of topsoil; irrigation mains to G St alley; installation of fountain equipment vaults and connection. Paving and soil installation in Guthridge courtyard occurs this week as well as railing installation throughout the project site. Specialty granite paving arrives this week.

March 31, 2010
Painting and stucco of 2121 F Street and Guthridge exteriors will be done this week. Brick paving of the 2121 & 2123 rear yards is complete. Irrigation pumping unit will be set in place and connected this week. Rough grading of the memorial garden behind 2121 & 2123 F Streets will occur this week. Irrigation installation of G St alley occurs this week. Installation occurs this week of electrical and plumbing connections for fountain vaults. Work will begin on railings throughout project site.

March 24, 2010
Paving of the pedestrian alley connector from F St to G St is 95% complete. Stucco and painting of 2121 F Street and Guthridge exteriors adjacent the alley should be complete by Friday the 26th. Excavation for the fountain equipment vaults was completed Wednesday the 24th, and installation of the equipment will take place over the coming week and a half. Paving of the rear yards of 2121 F and 2123 F is almost complete, and grading and site preparation of the memorial garden in that area will occur over the next week.

March 17, 2010
Work continues to repave pedestrian passageway from rear of South Hall, 2135 F Street to G Street and is expected to finish later this week. On the project’s south side, painting and stucco of 2121 F Street and Guthridge exteriors are underway. Paving work continues on the project’s east/21st Street side. On the north/G Street side, tree boxes and subbases were completed and work continues on paving and irrigation. Installation of fountain pumping and collection vaults is scheduled for late March.

March 10, 2010
Final demolition of alley and commencement of repaving will begin on Friday March 12 – this will require closure of the pedestrian passageway from rear of South Hall, 2135 F Street to G Street. Student access to this pathway will be restored after spring break.

On the project’s south side: under drainage and planter walls of F Street plaza are complete and paving should begin at the end of this week and continue for several weeks. Alteration to Guthridge exterior stairs (formerly used as passageway) will take place next week. Painting and stucco of 2121 F Street and Guthridge exteriors will occur next week. Guthridge courtyard paving is anticipated to be finished next week with planter beds to follow. On the east/21st Street side, paving is scheduled to begin at the end of this week. On the north/G Street side, tree boxes, subbases for paving and irrigation will be completed this week. Excavation of excess dirt is anticipated for completion this week. Installation of fountain pumping and collection vaults is scheduled for late March.

March 3, 2010
On the project’s south side: excavation to rough grade of plaza entrance to F Street (between Guthridge and 2121 F Street) is complete, under drainage installation has begin and work continues on footings for planter bed walls. Guthridge courtyard has been rough graded and work continues paving, installation in early March of underslab drainage, curbs and planting bed. On the east, paving and curbs are scheduled for installation next week. On the north, paving and planter beds rough graded and laid out, underslab drainage and sub-base to be installed over next week. Excavation of excess dirt is anticipated for completion this week. Installation of fountain pumping and collection vaults is scheduled for late March. Final demolition of alley and commencement of repaving will begin on Friday March 12 – this will require closure of the pedestrian passageway from rear of South Hall, 2135 F Street to G Street.

February 24, 2010
On the project’s south side: excavation of plaza entrance to F Street (between Guthridge and 2121 F Street) continues and footings for planter bed walls will be constructed in coming weeks. Guthridge courtyard should be graded this week with paving to occur next week followed by installation in early March of underslab drainage and curbs as well as filling in of the planting bed. On the east, paving is expected soon on the pathway from 21st street into the site. On the north, work will begin this week on planter bed next to G Street entrance followed by installation of footings, underslab drainage and light pole bases. The pipe connection to third/final cistern was completed. Excavation of excess dirt is anticipated for completion this week. Installation of fountain pumping and collection vaults is scheduled for late March.

February 3, 2010
Concrete work on the patio and ramp behind the G Street townhouses is completed, with the brick pavers to be completed later this week. The main storm drainage overflow connection to the city sewer is in process along the ditch adjacent to the alley and should be completed by end of the week, with backfilling to be done by early next week. Excavation of the connection to F Street, via the vacant lot between Guthridge and 2121 F Street, began this week and should be completed by next week. The second cistern was delivered and set in place today, and should be connected and backfilled by the end of the week. The hole for the last cistern will be excavated at the end of this week and the cistern itself will be delivered early next week. Work also continues on the planter beds and pathway from 21st street into the site. After that, under-drainage, sub-grade and leveling will begin in the Guthridge/2109 courtyard.

January 26, 2010
Phase I work includes the finishing of pour slabs for ramps and patio behind G Street townhouses. Drainage work is finished on the concrete patio and walkway construction between Guthridge Hall and 2109 F Street. The stormwater connection to public water exit is in process and should be completed next week – this work requires closure of a small portion of the G Street sidewalk between the alley and 2114 G Street during working hours. Cistern #3 (between Guthridge Hall and 2121 F Street) has been installed and Cistern #1 (behind Guthridge Hall) will be installed next week. Cistern #2 near Strong Hall will be installed in early February. Excavation will begin next week on the vacant lot between Guthridge Hall and 2121 F Street (which will be the pedestrian pathway to F Street). The blue light phone on F Street in this vicinity will be removed and reinstalled later in this project. Minor Work continues between Strong Hall and 610 21st Street.

January 19, 2010
Phase I work includes pouring slab for ramps and patio behind G Street townhouses as well as pouring concrete patio and walkway construction between Guthridge Hall and 2109 F Street. Most stormwater piping on site will be installed by the end of this week. The stormwater connection to public water exit will begin soon and will require closure of a small portion of the G Street sidewalk between the alley and 2114 G Street during working hours for several days. Excavation work on a cistern located next to Guthridge Hall will begin next Monday.

January 12, 2010
Phase I work continues on access ramps and patio behind G Street townhouses. The second of the project’s five phases is underway with initial demolition and preparation for installation of cisterns, pump well and storm piping in February.

So as to facilitate project construction, the mid block alley connecting G Street to the rear entry of GW’s South Hall (2135 F Street) will be narrowed this month for approximately one week from its current approximate 12-foot width to approximately six feet. Please contact [email protected] with additional questions or comments.

January 5, 2010
Excavation work and installation of foundation walls continues on access ramps and patio behind G Street townhouses. The new concrete trash compactor pad is nearing completion. During the next several weeks, excavation will be underway on the project’s west side with installation of storm water drains and construction of planter adjacent to 2114 G Street. Installation of the underground irrigation pump well is underway and will continue through next week.

Unless otherwise needed, the next project update will be posted here the week of January 4, 2010

2009

December 16, 2009
The existing ramps behind the 2110 G Street townhouses were removed last week and excavation is in process for new site patio and ramps. Work this week includes continued work on relocation of the trash compactor and removal of existing blue light emergency phone behind 2114 G Street.

So as to accommodate end-of-semester academic activities and testing during the next two weeks, there will be no drilling, jack-hammering or other significant noise activities at this project site and work is not scheduled before 9:00 a.m. Students with concerns or comments regarding this should contact [email protected].

December 9, 2009
Project work last week included site clearing (tree/landscaping removal) and inspection of sediment and erosion control measures. Work continues on trash compactor relocation and removal of existing blue light emergency phone behind 2114 G Street. Work next week will include site preparation for installation of trash compactor pad, removal of existing ramps behind the 2110 G Street townhouses and excavation for new site patio and ramps.

December 2, 2009
Project preparation work anticipated this week includes additional site clearing, installation of temporary project office trailer, completion of relocating trash compactor adjacent to 2006 G Street and initial utility work. The pedestrian passageway under Guthridge Hall (connecting G Street midblock alley path to F Street) was closed last Wednesday. Pedestrians will not have access to this midblock cut-through for the next several months until completion of this project which is anticipated in Spring 2010. Egress from Guthridge Hall to F Street will remain open as will access from South Hall’s rear entry to the midblock alley connecting to F Street. Please send further questions/concerns to [email protected].

November 18, 2009
Erosion and sediment control measures are expected to be completed this week and relocation of trash compactor adjacent to 2006 G Street as well as selective demolition is anticipated to occur next week. As previously shared with residents of Guthridge Hall, the pedestrian passageway under Guthridge Hall (connecting G Street midblock alley path to F Street) will be closed beginning next Monday to facilitate construction of the new mid-block green plaza. Pedestrians will not have access to this midblock cut-through for the next several months until completion of this project. Passageway egress from Guthridge Hall to F Street will remain open as will access from the rear entry of South Hall to the midblock alley connecting to G Street.

November 4 & 11 and October 28 & 21, 2009
Site preparation continues including implementation of erosion and sediment control measures. Relocation of trash compactor adjacent to 2006 G Street is anticipated to occur in coming weeks.

October 14, 2009
Site mobilization continues in preparation of initial removal and excavation activities.

October 7, 2009
Site mobilization began in September with closing of Parking Lot 1 except for drive adjacent to Strong Hall which will remain open until relocation later this month of trash compactor on a new concrete pad adjacent to 2106 G Street. Work is anticipated to begin next week behind the G Street townhouses to initiate select demolition and excavation activities and construct the ramps/patio space. Egress will be maintained from all adjacent buildings. Work will occur days/times of Monday to Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Adjacent building occupants may contact [email protected] with questions or concerns.