2021 Facility Updates

2021 Facility Updates

The transition to online learning during the pandemic provided the opportunity for us to accelerate the academic renewal phase of our campus master plan. Anticipating when our faculty and students, in particular, would be able to return in full and in-person instruction would resume, we diligently prepared our campus so that we could ensure everyone’s safety while providing a holistic educational experience.
 
As the majority of our freshmen and sophomores are being introduced to our campus for the very first time, and upper-class students have not been our physical campus this Fall, here is a status list of our ongoing facility renovations. 

Frederick Douglass Memorial Hall

The renovation of floors 1-3 of Frederick Douglass Memorial Hall is complete. The renovation included upgrades to the mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems in the building as well as improvements to the classroom environments. These changes will support digital and distance learning and add increased flexibility in classroom size, orientation and technology. Douglass Hall is available for use, while the final phase of renovations (the basement and attic) are completed.

Undergraduate Library (UGL)

The Undergraduate Library (UGL) has been renovated and the core floors of the building are open for students. The library has been transformed into a 21st-century learning environment. The repurposed facility includes a learning commons area, a technology-rich environment with video monitors, hard-wired and wireless computers in more than a dozen group learning spaces, conference rooms and multimedia enhanced multipurpose learning spaces. The space will also contain the Fine Arts Digital Design Studio, a Karsh STEM Scholars suite, and a digital testing center. All will be supported by updated media and computer technology. The UGL will serve as an extension of the academic and classroom environments, being equipped with collaboration and seminar rooms, sub-dividable multipurpose meeting rooms, a fiber optic network, wireless internet, computing devices and compact storage to house precious archival collections. The library will be ready for full occupancy this Fall as we work to remediate elevator and accessibility issues from the renovation. 

Armour J. Blackburn University Center

The Armour J. Blackburn University Center is undergoing a phased $10 million renovation that will produce a renewed, improved facility that meets the multifaceted needs of the campus community. In phase I, we renovated the ballroom, meeting rooms, lobby, bathrooms and restaurant. The food areas are open and the lobby will open in mid-September. In phase II, we will deliver a recreational center, an e-sports design studio and a full-suite bowling alley, where students will be able to reserve lanes via their phones. The bowling alley and gaming center will open during the Spring 2022 semester.

300 Bryant Street NW (Former Washington Metropolitan High School)

To support the transition of the School of Communications as we continue our work to decommission the C.B. Powell Building, we have secured and are making updates to the former Washington Metropolitan High School Building, a short distance from C.B. Powell, to support the program’s operations. We anticipate relocation to occur toward the end of September, as initial renovations, technology enhancements and furniture upgrades are in process. We are working to accommodate other groups/users of the C.B. Powell building and are working directly with those points of contact on virtual options and alternative location assignments. 

WHUR/WHUT

We are still working to identify the best space opportunities to transition Howard University Radio and Howard University Television and will continue to update the campus community when we have identified next steps.