Planned Georgetown University Dorm Opposed by Old Georgetown Board — and Students, Alumni

A plan for a new dormitory on the main campus of Georgetown University was shot down by the Old Georgetown Board, which asked for alternative plans and expressed concern about the loss of green space — and is also opposed by a student-alumni petition at Change.org.

In part, the petition reads: “Students and alumni were unanimous in their opposition to the uninspired, Eastern Bloc-like proposal, completely incongruous with Georgetown’s rich architectural heritage, in addition to taking up one of the last remaining green spaces on campus. The Old Georgetown Board agreed, asking the university to go back to the drawing board and produce alternatives for the next meeting in September.

“We understand that Georgetown is under time, land and budget constraints. Nonetheless, in the past few years, other schools such as Princeton, Notre Dame and Boston College have produced beautiful classical-style buildings (some of them in small lots, and yes, with LEED certification). It can be done, and it should be done at Georgetown.”

Georgetown University’s proposed Northeast Triangle Residence Hall is to be tucked between Reiss Science Building, Henle Village and the western walls of Visitation Prep. Along a main campus walkway, the seven-floor triangular building would be near the Leavey Center.

Georgetown University representatives presented concept plans to Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission July 1, describing a new 251-bed dormitory to be ready for occupancy by August 2015. The ANC unanimously approved the concept.