746 replies to this topic

[eandslee]

burt, on Oct 12 2005, 04:24 PM, said:

Wheeeeeee!!

Dang!  It's too dark right now (9:00 PM in Richmond).  I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow.  I have been checking out those cameras from time to time (the last time, I believe, was just last week).  It was good to see the old gas station torn down.  Let's get this "ball" rolling and let's see some more construction!  Richmond is in the midst of its second "Reconstruction".  

[wrldcoupe4]

agreed... I bet this era is probably the largest building phase in Richmond's history since the post CivilWar Reconstruction.

It will be great to see VCU fill in that large swath of what was mostly parking lots and wasteland. Hopefully, private investment will pick up surrounding VCU's investment.... BowTie isn't too far away

[wrldcoupe4]

And so it has officially begun!  

"Major VCU expansion underway

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Nov 1, 2005

Virginia Commonwealth University broke ground this morning for the largest project in the university's history -- the construction of the $228 million Monroe Park Campus Addition.

The 11-acre site is on a largely underdeveloped tract in downtown Richmond, east of Belvidere Street, between Main and Canal streets.

The first phase of the project will encompass a new School of Business and an expansion of the School of Engineering, along with renovation of an historic building as the new home of the university's award-winning graduate advertising program, the VCU Adcenter."

VCU Monroe Park Campus Expansion breaks ground!

[burt]

If this is Phase #1, how many other phases are there and when will they begin, I wonder?  It's very exciting!  VCU is a major university and I think has the largest enrollment (30,000) in the State, unless Va. Tech is the leader.  Its location truly makes it an urban institution.  It is a powerhouse driving dowentown's renaissance.

Edited by burt, 01 November 2005 - 12:28 PM.

[wrldcoupe4]

actually I think GMU is has the largest enrollment

But I'm VERY pleased with what VCU has done over the years and all of its contributions to the city. It's turned blighted areas into a fantastic institition.

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Nov 1 2005, 04:06 PM, said:

actually I think GMU is has the largest enrollment

But I'm VERY pleased with what VCU has done over the years and all of its contributions to the city. It's turned blighted areas into a fantastic institition.

But you're including all the satalite enrollments.  I asked specifically about Fairfax.  I don't think it approaches VCU.

[wrldcoupe4]

but that's the thing... It's a 'distributed' university. While Fairfax is the main campus, the other campuses serve major roles for the university, and many students take shuttles between the 3 campuses. It's all GMU... it isn't like for example, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, or something like that.

Employing the revolutionary concept of the "distributed" university, George Mason acquired the George Mason University School of Law and a campus in Arlington in 1979. The Prince William Campus was established in Prince William County in 1997. The 150 acres that once was the entire George Mason University campus has become the 677-acre Fairfax Campus. Mason began having classes in Loudoun in the fall of 2005.

The Prince William Campus is an integral part of George Mason's distributed University. The primary focus of the Prince William campus is high-tech/bio-tech and emphasizes bioinformatics, biotechnology, forensic biosciences educational and research programs in addition to computer and information technology.

The Arlington Campus is a key component of George Mason University's plan for the "distributed university." The concept of the distributed university is one university with multiple campuses, each of which has a specific focus reflected in its course offerings.

The academic units currently represented at the Arlington Campus include:
    * College of Arts and Sciences
    * College of Education and Human Development
    * College of Visual and Performing Arts
    * Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
    * School of Law
    * School of Management
    * School of Public Policy

It has more than 29,000 students enrolled and distributed across its three campuses at Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William Counties, and two satellite sites in Loudoun County and Reston. Each campus has a distinctive academic focus that plays a critical role in the economy of its region.

Since students attend multiple campuses for classes, it would be unfair to just count the Fairfax campus when comparing it to other universities... did I make any sense?

[wrldcoupe4]

VCU breaks ground on $228 million addition

"Groundbreaking for Virginia Commonwealth University's largest construction project in its history -- the $228 million Monroe Park campus addition -- began with a shout yesterday from VCU President Eugene Trani.

"Are you ready?" Trani yelled, seizing the emotion of the day.....

All were bullish about the prospects for the new campus on an 11-acre site, east of Belvidere Street, that generally has been viewed as an underdeveloped area of the city.........

The new campus will be unlike any other part of the 29,000-student university and could become an instant landmark with the distinctive courtyards, tower and turrets called for in the plans.

The first phase will include construction of a new School of Business and an expansion of the School of Engineering, which are expected to add about 2,000 students overall.

The schools will be joined by a common atrium and student commons, and the schools will be creating courses for engineering and business students.

Also slated for the first phase is an 800-vehicle underground parking garage. The garage and the schools are to open in August 2007. The first 400-bed residence hall is expected to be ready for the 2008 fall semester.

Other construction will include renovation of the historic Central Belting Building -- formerly a carriage house for The Jefferson Hotel -- as the new home of the VCU Adcenter, which some surveys have consistently ranked as the No. 1 graduate advertising program in the country........."

Edited by wrldcoupe4, 01 November 2005 - 10:13 PM.

[wrldcoupe4]

burt.... Phase II will include a second set of new dorms, as well as an executive conference center, but a timetable for construction has not been established yet. Phase I will take 21 months to complete.

[wrldcoupe4]

they were even doing some demolition down there today (sunday) A lot of land has been cleared. I'm REALLY excited about this project. Definitely will be an improvement!

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Nov 7 2005, 12:30 AM, said:

they were even doing some demolition down there today (sunday) A lot of land has been cleared. I'm REALLY excited about this project. Definitely will be an improvement!

They must be on a fast-track construction schedule.  Does anyone know where the underground 800-space parking deck will be located?  This new campus is really going to improve the south side Of Main street, but the north side is mostly open lots.  Wish there could be some kind of infill.

Edited by burt, 07 November 2005 - 12:15 PM.

[wrldcoupe4]

here's the best I can do for a rendering of the new bed tower....

[wrldcoupe4]

found a newer rendering! is this what it looked like joey?



to give you perspective as to its location, the building to the right in the foreground is the White House of the Confederacy...

[burt]

And directly across the street from the White House is the former Medical Society of Virginia at 12th and Clay which my Grandfather founded (though not at that location).  So that means, the new hospital is at the end of Clay Street blocking the view of Shockoe Bottom.

[Downtowner]

yes wrldcoupe thats what it looked like

[wrldcoupe4]

correct... and good to know!

[wrldcoupe4]

VCU Medical Center Expands Critical Care....

Groundbreaking was held today for VCU's new 15 story Critical Care Tower...

Quote

The 15-level, $192 million, 367,000 square-foot building, due to open in fall 2008, will greatly enhance the VCU Medical Center’s intensive-care capability. Spacious treatment areas and innovative medical technologies will make the hospital unique among academic medical centers. ......

The exterior of the new critical care hospital will embody touches of the history that surround it. The first floor will be the same height as other historic buildings on Clay St. Small details, such as the cornices, or ornamental moldings, will resemble the Museum of the Confederacy.

[wrldcoupe4]

this tower will be verrry visible from I-95

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Nov 15 2005, 04:54 PM, said:

this tower will be verrry visible from I-95

Seems to me everytime it is mentioned, the floor height is different.  I think I've heard everything from 11 to 18 floors.  Do you suppose the 15 story story is correct?  Of course, it obviously will be higher from the back than from the Clay street side.  It looked about  12 floors in the latest image.

[wrldcoupe4]

well it's kind of both...it'll be 11-12 on the Clay St side, but 15 on the 13th st/Duval Connector side.