For the convenience of university neighbors who would like to use public campus facilities, the university maintains a system of pedestrian gates in some of the fencelines that separate campus property from adjacent residential areas. Due to the unique nature of installing fences away from buildings, different card or fob access technologies have been used depending on the location. Neighbors should follow the instructions for your specific neighborhood below to get access to the gates.

The Fort Gaines Neighborhood gate is located behind the Katzen Arts Center and Nebraska Hall at the intersection of Sedgwick Street NW and 44th Street NW. 

Access

Access is by key card issued by the American University Parking Office. Please see their website for their hours of operation.

Cards are only issued to residents of the area that makes up the Fort Gaines neighborhood as defined by the Fort Gaines Citizens Association. To receive a card, you must present a government issued photo ID with the address showing that you live at an address in the Fort Gaines neighborhood. If you have recently moved to the neighborhood and do not have an updated photo ID, a combination of a government issued photo ID and a utility bill showing your Fort Gaines address will also be accepted.

If you lose or damage your credential (fob or card) to a gate, you may come to the American University Parking Office for a replacement. Damaged credentials that are returned will be replaced free of charge unless there are signs of malicious or intentional damage. Lost credentials will be replaced at a fee of $25, payable by debit or credit card.

There are two neighborhood gates for the Spring Valley Neighborhood. They are located behind Reeves Field, the first is at the intersection of University Avenue NW and Rodman Street NW and the second is at the intersection of University Avenue NW and Quebec Street NW.

Access

Access is by key fob issued by the American University Parking Office. Please see their website for their hours of operation.

To receive a key fob, you must present a government issued photo ID with the address showing that you are a resident of Spring Valley. If you have recently moved to the neighborhood and do not have an updated photo ID, a combination of a government issued photo ID and a utility bill showing your Spring Valley address will also be accepted. 

Periodically Refreshing Access

The technology on the Spring Valley gates requires that the access fobs be periodically updated. Neighbors will be notified by the American University Community Relations Office via the AU Neighborhood Newsletter when it is necessary to update your fobs. If you do not update your fob in the allocated time, then it will stop working until you do update it.

To update your fob, simply present it at a "hotspot" on campus for five seconds, which is about how long it takes for the light to stop flashing. The most convenient hotspot to Reeves Field is located on the front of the Osborn Building (see the Gate Map on the right sidebar for the exact location). There is also a hotspot located in the Parking Office where the fobs are issued.  

For questions regarding AU's Community Relations programs, please visit the Community Relations webpage or email communityrelations@american.edu. 

To report a malfunction with a neighborhood gate, please email access@american.edu and include your name, fob or card number, and the specific gate(s) you are having an issue with in the email to expedite troubleshooting.