Building AU

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Welcome to AU’s website for news and information about American University’s ongoing projects that are designed to help achieve our goal of “Building A Better American.” The various facilities projects presented on these pages, most of which were approved in our 2011 Campus Plan, support AU’s academic aspirations and enhance campus ambiance.

We invite students, faculty, staff, and neighbors to visit this site often for an overview of our building program, details about specific projects, and up-to-date information about all the ongoing construction and notice of any possible, temporary impact they may have on the community.

During the construction process, there may be temporary inconveniences that occasionally affect our neighbors and the university community. We will always strive to minimize the impact of our construction activity.

Construction Updates

AU Names Cassell Hall To Honor $3 Million Gift

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Cassell Hall - Most Recent Update:

May 17, 2013 - Drywall installation on the northwest wing of the building is almost complete on all upper floors.

Interior electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and duct work continues.

Interior drywall installation is being finalized on the upper floors.

Fiber installation is expected to be complete next week, and wire closets are being sheet rocked.

Installation of heating and cooling systems (fan coil units) continues.

Stone veneer installation continues.

Work is under way on the chilled waterline near the entrance to the site.

Construction of storm water cistern completed.

Gas service is expected to be completed this week, and the gas meter is expected to be installed next week.

Topsoil installation behind the President's Office continues. The planting plan approved in the zoning order is being finalized by OUA's Landscape Architecture Group.

Telecommunications cable installation is under way. 

Nebraska Hall - Most Recent Update:

May 17, 2013 - Installation of concrete floor leveling and topping is complete, and work on the second and third floors has begun. 

Interior wall, duct work, electrical work and sprinkler systems installation continues.

First, second, and third floor drywall installation is complete.

Work on the sanitary line continues.   

Brick masonry exterior work continues.

Chilled water line connection from Katzen is complete. Roofing installation is complete.

Boiler shut down and heating system interconnections to Katzen is scheduled for early June.

Window installation work is expected to begin this week. 

McKinley - Most Recent Update:

May 17, 2013 - Concrete is expected to be poured early next week for the third floor addition.

Construction of the new steam line to service the building is expected to begin June 17 and be complete by the end of September.

The new transformer vault currently is being excavated and is expected to be completed in the next two weeks.

Construction of the primary steel structure is complete for the infill addition to the building.

Interior shoring work is proceeding in preparation for the demolition phase of interior walls.

Research for the removal and reuse of leftover marble pieces continues.

Necessary permits are being obtained to remove two oak and sycamore trees located around and between McKinley and Bender Library. The trees will be removed as soon as the permits are granted.

The walkway between McKinley Building and Bender Library will be closed after graduation for the entire summer to accommodate underground utility improvements, landscaping/hard-scaping, and other construction activities.

Interior mechanical and electrical systems work is scheduled to begin May 24.

Final furniture layouts are being developed.

Tenley Campus - Most Recent Update:

April 5, 2013 - Coordination with Washington College of Law (WCL), for Office of Information Technologies and Public Safety requirements for the new campus continues.

Discussion on tree removal continues in coordination with OUA and Grounds department.

Review for construction is scheduled for April 17 and 18.

4401 Connecticut - Most Recent Update:

May 9, 2013 - Construction continues on the third, fourth, and sixth floors to accommodate WAMU and the University Communications and Marketing (UCM) department.  WAMU and UCM are expected to move into the building between the end of May and the middle of June. 

Questions or Comments?

Please e-mail buildingAU@american.edu

For project-specific questions or comments: Contact the project manager listed on that project's webpage.