This summer, there will be several maintenance and repair projects across campus, wrapping up renovations, following up on issues reported through the year, and setting the groundwork for the new theatre project. Below are summaries and estimated dates of the projects, with more information available on the Campus Construction website or linked with each project.
Monroe Hall
The Monroe Hall roof reconstruction project is nearly complete in spring 2025, with classes scheduled in the building for fall 2025. Fencing has been pulled back for graduate photos, but the building remains closed to activities until Reunion. During Reunion weekend, the second and third floors will be open for specific events, and the building will reopen after June 15 for faculty office set-up. Faculty with offices in Monroe will receive more information from Facilities Operations. In addition to the new slate roof, several areas of the building have new walls, ceilings, floors or carpeting, which was replaced following water damage from leaks in the roof.
Simpson Library
The stair tower repairs at Simpson Library will be completed in summer 2025, with additional work to the building façade scheduled in the next academic year. This extended project includes rebuilding the brickwork on the east face of the building. The library remains open during the project. Check the website for hours and more information.
Alvey Parking Deck
The top floor of the Alvey Parking Deck will be closed beginning May 19 to repair and reseal the joints and reduce or eliminate water intrusion to lower floors. The elevator room will be waterproofed. During the top-level repairs, the Alvey Parking Deck can be accessed from the Sunken Road parking areas. The top level of the deck will reopen later in May and now features two electric vehicle charging stations.
Accessibility Improvements
Accessibility improvement planning and design is in progress for Combs Hall, Westmoreland Hall and the Battleground Athletics Complex. A new accessible ramp is forthcoming for James Farmer Hall, and this next academic year improvements will take place at Ball Hall, which is further detailed in the next section.
Ball Hall
Ball Hall is offline in 2025-26 for accessibility improvements including the addition of an elevator and room updates to the first floor to make several suites accessible. The work is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2026, and until then Bushnell Hall will be the all-female residence hall. In addition, potential water and sewer lines replacement may be conducted, including renovations to the bathrooms in the residence hall. Work is currently pending approval as to not conflict with other permitted project activities. Occasional debris removal or deliveries may occur around the work area and across Campus Walk, with minimal disruptions. Contractors may unload in the Fairfax Parking Lot.
Lee Hall
The remediation is complete on the fourth floor of Lee Hall, and offices will be returning through the summer as their schedules allow. The Admissions Welcome Center is staying in The Link between Mason and Randolph Halls this summer.
Utility Repairs
The following areas and buildings will have short-term utility outages for repairs.
- The main waterline between Seacobeck and Woodard Halls will be replaced this summer. In addition, the cooling unit may be updated in Woodard Hall, requiring work in and adjacent to the plaza area.
- Willard Hall will have a single-day water outage for repairs.
- Mason and Randolph Halls will have a water outage for a heat exchanger replacement.
- Westmoreland Hall will have a one-day water outage.
- Eagle Landing will have a planned water outage to install additional water valves to limit future issues.
These dates will be communicated to any residents to plan accordingly.
Brent House
Brent House, which has been closed and offline since the police station move in 2022-23, will be demolished this summer as part of the initial plan for the new theatre at the corner of William St. and Sunken Road. The nearly 100-year-old structure has been damaged from water intrusion, with major foundation and roof issues that make it too costly to repair. The demolition of Brent House will open up the pathway to extend Campus Walk to the new theatre. Following the demolition, the site will be marked off with fencing and erosion control measures until the theatre project construction starts.
New Theatre
Sitework for the new theatre will continue this summer as design plans are finalized, and with new fiber lines run and utilities moved to keep areas connected as construction starts. The demolition of Russell and Marshall Halls will start following the removal of Brent House.
Contact Info
For any questions, contact Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Capital Outlay Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu.
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