As part of its mid-campus project, Georgetown University is moving forward with plans to construct a new multi-sport facility and business school building on campus, as well as a boathouse on the Potomac waterfront.

The construction of the boathouse has drawn criticism from area residents who claim the 292-foot long structure, located upstream from the Washington Canoe Club and the Key Bridge , will be an unwelcome intrusion to the waterfront.

Proponents of the boathouse include the Georgetown Waterfront Commission, the local Advisory Neighborhood Commission and high school rowing groups. The Georgetown crew team currently houses its boats and equipments off-campus while renting space at Thompson’s Boathouse, which is also used by George Washington University and local high schools.

“Once our boathouse is built, we will no longer need to rent this space and this area will be freed up for other users, such as local high schools and other community organizations,” university spokeswoman Laura Cavender said. “A new boathouse would add value to the Potomac waterfront and would have the potential to serve the community and the campus for many years to come.”

The two-story structure will include a lobby, four boat bays, rowing tanks, a weight room and a multi-purpose room. The second story terrace will have a view of Rosslyn, the Potomac and Key Bridge .

University architects cleared their largest hurdle last December when the D.C. Zoning Commission voted 3-0 to approve plans for the boathouse.

But the construction plans hinge on the university receiving the parcel of land from the National Park Service after a land-swap agreement was made in 1987. Opponents to the boathouse have argued that the land-swap should not take place because the proposed size of the structure would be larger than the agreement set forth 17 years ago.

The new multi-sport facility to be built on Harbin Field will comprise a 4,500-seat complex adaptable for football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer and field hockey games.

To allow for possible hosting of NCAA tournament play, the field will comply with NCAA requirements. The area could also be used for other student activities such as academic convocations, graduation or concerts.

“We’re going to develop the Harbin Field area in phases,” Cavender said. “The first phase is to improve the field and the stands, the second phase will be to develop an enhanced press box and scoreboard, [and] the third phase will address our need for improved locker room facilities.”

During its June meeting, the ANC approved Phase One of the multi-sport facility although some residents addressed concerns that the university would not be able to handle the additional parking required for athletic events.

The new business school facility includes increased faculty office space, state-of-the-art classrooms and increased career management and student services facilities. There will also be ample common areas for students to study independently and meet for small-group projects.

“A new business school facility will provide a central location for faculty, students and staff of the School of Business which will strengthen our business programs and help move forward the strategic vision of the school,” Cavender said.

Cavender said that Provost James J. O’Donnell is working with faculty to determine a plan to cover increased operational costs of a new building on campus.

Fundraising is ongoing for the proposed boathouse, multi-sport facility and business school, but various other design and regulatory approvals are needed before any of these projects begin.