Projects Progressing At W&L

Projects Progressing At W&L

Marketplace Extension Opens At Elrod Commons

Washington and Lee University continues to make progress on several campus construction projects in support of the campus master plan that was approved by the board of trustees in October 2021.

Below is an update on the progress of various projects around campus entering the fall term 2024 as provided in a recent news story by W&L.

Elrod Commons

Renovations to the Elrod Commons dining venues are nearing completion. The first phase, which involved extensive renovations and updates to Café 77 and Marketplace food service areas, was completed in August 2023. The second phase, which involved expanding the Marketplace dining room, creating additional outdoor terrace seating for Café 77 and reconfiguring the Cohen Family Amphitheater, began in October 2023 and was completed before the start of fall term.

The university received the certificate of occupancy for the Marketplace extension on Aug. 9, new furniture was installed shortly thereafter, and the facility officially opened to the public on Aug. 15. In addition to expanded seating and new furniture, the new space also includes a micro-farm unit where sustainable microgreens will be grown.

The exterior features of this project, including the amphitheater makeover and the expanded outdoor terrace, have also been completed and officially opened on Aug. 30 with an ice cream social for the campus community.

New Williams School Building

Construction of the new Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics building remains on schedule.

The exterior form of the building is taking shape, with the roof completed and exterior wall and sheathing being installed. The front of the building now provides an excellent view of the three-story atrium that frames the center of the impressive structure.

On the inside, the concrete-on-metal deck flooring is in place, while the rough-in of mechanical and electrical systems are progressing. Current construction also includes the installation of metal door frames throughout the structure.

The new Williams School is expected to be completed in advance of fall term 2025.

Lindley Center for Student Wellness

Construction on the new Lindley Center for Student Wellness began the first week of April with extensive site preparation.

East Denny Circle was closed over the summer to facilitate installation of underground utilities, as the route has returned to normal service as law and undergraduate students have arrived on campus for fall classes.

Work on the building has included the pouring of its concrete foundations and walls, as well as the new masonry elevator shaft. The structural steel was delivered in late August and was erected shortly thereafter.

As construction on the Lindley Center moves into the fall, campus community members can expect to see the concrete floor slab poured, as well as the installation of the second-floor deck on the structure’s steel framing. Additional framing and roof trusses will follow. The Lindley Center is expected to be completed for the start of fall term 2025.

Wilson Field

Wilson Field received updates to the competition surfaces and was offline from May through early September. A new synthetic turf field was installed, and the surrounding track was resurfaced. Wilson Field hosted its first athletic event on its new playing surface on Sept. 14 when the football team entertained Newport News Apprentice. The striping on the track has since been finished and the facility officially opened for full use on Sept. 24.

For continuous updates on the university’s capital projects, visit the Capital Projects update page on the University Facilities website.