Tim Kehrer/The Hoya University Architect Alan Brangman describes a proposed marquee for the Royden B. Davis, S.J., Performing Arts Center during an Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting Tuesday night at Georgetown Visitation.
The local Advisory Neighborhood Commission handed the university a major victory in its campus construction efforts tonight, voting unanimously to recommend to District officials that construction proceed on Georgetown’s planned multi-sport facility and cDonough School of Business Center. Residents and commissioners questioned university administrators about the projects’ impact on neighborhood traffic and noise levels for over half an hour before the commission issued its positive recommendation. Georgetown still must get approval from the D.C. Zoning Commission at a meeting scheduled for Nov. 28. The ANC’s recommendation can weigh heavily in those proceedings, however, and administrators said tonight’s decision was a significant step forward in the university’s plans for two of its most prominent construction projects. “I think that the commissioners understood that the university has worked hard on these issues,” said Todd Olson, vice president for student affairs. “We’re very pleased and we appreciate the support from the ANC and we appreciate the support from all our neighbors as we work to improve Georgetown.” University Architect Alan Brangman, who conducted much of the university’s presentation, said that he was unsurprised by the ANC’s reaction to Georgetown’s zoning proposal. “I was not surprised by their questions, that there would be questions about traffic and parking,” he said. “I’m happy that they’re continuing to support the projects.” The first phase of the multi-sport facility – an artificial turf field and partial fence – have already been completed. Construction on the facility’s proposed stands, which will double as buildings with offices, locker rooms and other amenities, will begin after the university receives final zoning approval and meets its fundraising targets, according to facilities officials. The planned MSB Center, which will consolidate MSB offices and classrooms into one 172,000-square foot building, is also awaiting final zoning approval and fundraising. Karen Frank, vice president for facilities and student housing, said in an interview last week that the center could be completed as early as 2008. Throughout the presentation at Georgetown Visitation, commissioners’ questions focused on traffic and parking issues. Several residents also expressed concern that the proposed new stands for the multi-sport facility, which will increase seating capacity at Harbin Field from 3,700 to 4,500, would crowd limited parking spaces near campus and complicate traffic flow. Brangman told the commission that the proposed complex would not snarl traffic or reduce parking availability, since many of the attendees at the field’s athletic events would be students and faculty who are already on campus. The university will also have campus parking available during games, he said. “We don’t envision . any change at all in the parking required to sustain either one of these facilities,” he said. “Most of the folks who attend these facilities are already on the campus.” Linda Greenan, assistant vice president for external relations, also said that Georgetown had agreed not to hold any large-scale athletic events on the field between 4 and 7 p.m. on weekdays, to avoid neighborhood traffic congestion during rush hour. Commissioner John Lever supported the proposal, but asked the university to consider the impact of the proposed five-story MSB Center on graduate enrollment levels. “I would like to see some consideration by Georgetown about what kind of expansion we’re looking at,” he said. “You’re looking at a facility that can be used by the graduate program far more than the current facility.” Brett Clements (COL ’07), the ANC’s sole student commissioner, voiced his strong support for the proposed facilities. “The designs are wonderful,” he said. “The facilities are going to do so much for students.” The commission delivered a setback to a secondary university proposal, however, voting unanimously to “vigorously oppose” administrators’ efforts to erect a large lighted marquee on the exterior of the Royden B. Davis, S.J., Performing Arts Center. As soon as someone walks on campus, “you’d see this thing that looks like it belongs on the Vegas Strip,” Clements said. “I’ve shown these plans to a bunch of students, and I actually haven’t found a single person that likes them.” Commissioner Bill Skelsey said that he understood the desire for a marquee, but still opposed the proposal. “It is a unique building on campus, it’s the only theater, and it could therefore call for a unique kind of signage,” he said. “[But] I think students will know anyway, and how much extra advertising do you need to do?”