CUA Campus Building Projects and Property Development Activities         

Information about the university's plans for campus buildings and development of other university-owned property is available from the office of Community and Government Relations at (202) 319-5142, 280 Leahy Hall on the campus. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT ACTIVITY: 

As of mid-May, CUA is presently in the process of scheduling meetings with the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and key neighborhood representatives to announce its choice of a developer for the South Campus property and to begin the dialogue about how the property gets developed. 

As of early March, CUA completed demolition of St. Bonaventure Hall.  Updates to and input from key neighborhood groups and leaders regarding "the next steps" on South Campus have occurred regularly since 2006, to individual ANC commissioners and neighbors as well as to regular ANC and civic association meetings. THANK YOU!! to our neighbors and commissioners in ANC 5A and ANC 5C who have provided feedback on the planned demolition of this and another campus building over the past year or more.  The university's School of Philosophy is starting its second semester in its new home in Aquinas Hall on the CUA campus, with interior renovation of that space being planned as funds are available.

As of March, CUA had signed a development agreement with a development organization well respected in the District of Columbia; however, the developer had just recently completed its review of legal title, environmental, geotechnical and other issues related to possible development of South Campus.  The university expected to meet with the developer by the end of March to discuss possible development concepts with the developer.  In April or May, the developer and the university would continue the process of working with ANCs, neighborhood civic associations and individual neighbors (as well as updating faculty and students on campus) to determine the details of development of the South Campus.  

As of early March, construction is well under way on our new Opus Hall residence hall building.  Fencing is up at the site along McCormack Road and the major tower crane has already finished its work, been removed and is replaced by a traditional movable crane.  The upper level floors are poured and exterior panels are quickly being delivered and put in place.  

In May, the university scheduled a hearing in early July before the Zoning Commission to have "further processing" of our previously submitted residence hall construction plans and to provide more detail about a proposed second new residence hall, dubbed "Phase II" for the time being.  The Phase II building has been previously reviewed by the Zoning Commission -- the July presentation will provide an opportunity to review the most current versions of schematic plans, elevations, etc. and will seek the Commission's final approval to go forward with the Phase II building.  The university has not yet applied for bond funding for this second building, as it has not yet determined when actual construction might begin.  The university's integrated facilities and housing plan calls for maintaining sufficient housing on campus to accommodate the same percentage of undergraduates on campus as it has historically done, as well as renovating or replacing outdated or deficient campus housing facilities. 

Similarly, construction is virtually complete on the northwest corner of the campus, along Harewood Road, NE, on the new Facilities Service Center.  The FSC opening will be celebrated in early June.  This project included some expansion of the university's campus parking facilities.

Information about traffic and pedestrian safety issues is available from Craig Parker at the number below.  Anyone interested in finding out whether there are jobs available from the contractor (Opus East Corporation) or subcontractors related to this project should call Carl Petchik at (202) 319-5500 or Craig Parker at (202) 319-5097.

COMPLAINTS:  If anyone in the neighborhood has complaints about problems caused by trucks going to the Opus Hall residence hall construction site, parking on neighborhood streets by construction trucks and workers, and rodents or unduly loud noise or dust/debris caused by the construction process, those complaints should be directed to the University's Facilities Service Center, at (202) 319-5121.  If complaints are not adequately responded to in a reasonable period of time, please feel free to contact Craig Parker, General Counsel and Associate Vice President for Community & Government Relations, at (202) 319-5097.

CAMPUS MASTER PLAN.  The university's current Campus Master Plan was approved in 2002 and amended in early 2007 to approve the new Opus Hall residence hall, relocation of the Facilities Building and other projects.  The university anticipates that as planning for a second residence hall (identified and described in detail in the 2007 materials presented to the D.C. Zoning Commission) proceeds, there may be additional submissions to the Zoning Commission before the end of spring 2008, although no public hearing would likely be scheduled by the Commission until well into the year.

WEST CAMPUS.  The university's zoning approval for the "West Campus" (the 49 acres purchased from the Armed Forces Retirement Home in 2002 and located between Harewood Road, N.E., and North Capitol Street) permits certain campus uses.  The university presently has the property closed off and is in the process of land use planning for future uses.  

Current significant campus building projects and property development activities include:

MAIN CAMPUS.

The Opus Hall residence hall project.  This 402-bed residence hall project is expected to come online by the spring  - summer of 2009.  More information is also available clicking on the "Building Projects" link on the lefthand side of this page. 

Information about the project is available from CUA's Office of Public Affairs publications.  December 1, 2006. Inside CUA- CUA, OPUS Sign Contract for New Residence Hall.  "Catholic University and the OPUS East Construction Group of Rockville, Md., signed a multimillion-dollar contract in late November for the construction of a planned seven-story residence hall that is slated for completion by fall 2009 to accommodate an increase in undergraduate enrollment..."  Read More.

SOUTH CAMPUS.

The South Campus property development process.  Catholic University owns slightly more than 8 acres of property south of Michigan Avenue, N.E., on the west side of the Brookland-CUA Metro stop ("South Campus").  The parcels located there presently include St. Bonaventure Hall, three student residence hall buildings (Spalding, Spellman and Conaty Halls), and three vacant parcels.  The university has been engaged since the spring of 2006 in studying possible future uses of the South Campus.  In addition to presentations at a number of community meetings in ANC 5C, ANC 5A, the Michigan Park Civic Association and others, the university has also been an active participant in the D.C. Office of Planning "Brookland-CUA Metro Small Area Plan" planning process.  The purpose of this process is to engage stakeholders in the Brookland community and identify principles that will guide the Office of Planning in the future as it reviews proposals for development around the Metro stop.

The current status of the South Campus development process, is as noted above -- CUA has signed a development agreement with a development organization well respected in the District of Columbia; however, the developer has just recently completed its review of legal title, environmental, geotechnical and other issues related to possible development of South Campus.  The university expects to meet with the developer by the end of March to discuss possible development concepts with the developer.  In April or May, the developer and the university will continue the process of working with ANCs, neighborhood civic associations and individual neighbors (as well as updating faculty and students on campus) to determine the details of development of the South Campus.  

The developer and the university will begin discussions with the community, likely by early May 2008, assuming no delays in this process on the university's side.  The university will work closely with ANC5C, neighbors, nearby Single Member Districts and the Edgewood Civic Association regarding the process for developing South Campus, as well as coordinating with ANC5A and other community and civic organizations.   

The first steps in the communication by the developer with the community will be to continue the type of discussion already begun with neighbors about what ideas the community has and what elements they would like to see in a South Campus development as part of the Brookland - CUA Metro Small Area Plan process that began in October 2006.  In mid-July 2007, the university made several presentations in open meetings of the Small Area Plan group in general terms about what it hopes can happen with South Campus.  Minutes of those discussions are available from the District Office of Planning or the university's General Counsel, Craig Parker. 

During 2006 and into 2007, CUA has engaged in a continuing series of meetings and discussions regarding South Campus development with the Brookland-CUA Metro Stop Small Area Plan group, ANC5A, ANC5C, the Michigan Park Civic Association, Brookland business leaders and individual ANC commissioners including for ANC5C10 and ANC5C09, single member district meetings and Brookland citizens.  The Advisory Committee of the Small Area Plan group is expected to meet by the end of March 2007 to hear from the Office of Planning about the feasibility of the "deck over the railroad" concept that emerged as "Concept B" during the most recent part of the Small Area Plan process.  If you want to know when and where that meeting will be, contact the Office of Planning or contact Craig Parker at CUA, 319-5097, and he will let you know whatever he knows about that meeting.   

CUA's expectation is that these projects will provide a financial return to support the renovation and construction of residence halls on its main campus, will provide amenities that will benefit both the neighborhood and the students and employees of the university, enhance the "streetscape" of the area and improve pedestrian safety and access to the Brookland-CUA Metro site, improve the entrance to the university along Michigan Avenue and contribute to making Michigan Avenue a Great Street in the District, and make a contribution to the culture and public space of the neighborhood that will create a unique place that properly reflects the Brookland community.       

Summary information about the South Campus planning process appears in the CUA publication "Inside CUA" in December 2006 - Letter from CUA President and addresses residents hall project and relocation of student residents halls in addition to current plan for using the property known as "South Campus."