Learning and living environment
VCU goes greener this fall and also more convenient with several energy efficiency and money-saving projects including zip cars, carpooling incentives and solar hot water. The sustainability projects are part of VCU’s Climate Action Plan and moving VCU forward as a model for sustainability.
Students will enjoy a much-needed improvement to their academic work space with the opening of the Learning Commons in Cabell Library. The 13,000-square-foot expansion provides a state-of-the-art study and computing environment that supports small group collaborative study.
Construction begins this fall of the West Grace Street student housing building that will include a parking deck and space for retail outlets. The 162,000-square-foot student housing building will provide 459 beds. It also includes living-learning space, providing an academically based community building experience for students and faculty that focuses on community engagement themes. The new facility, located on the south side of Grace Street between Shafer and Laurel streets, primarily will house upper classmen. The 212-space Laurel Parking Deck also will accommodate street level retail outlets. The Laurel deck is expected to be completed in July 2011 and the West Grace Street housing completed in summer 2012.
Construction began this summer on the West Grace Street Parking decks, located east of Belvidere St. on the north side of the 400 block of West Grace Street. The parking decks will provide about 750 parking spaces and are expected to open in summer 2011.
