West Grace Street Housing Project demolition and construction begins

By Brian McNeill

The initial phase of demolition of existing structures and construction for the West Grace Street Housing Project is underway, with impacts to traffic and pedestrian access.

Work on the project, a 325,000-square-foot Virginia Commonwealth University student housing facility on the Monroe Park Campus, will occur between sunrise and sunset. Demolition and construction will affect both vehicle traffic and pedestrian access on that campus, including:

Through the end of February: There will be partial, short-term, one-lane road closures; traffic pattern changes; and partial alley closures in the 700 block of West Grace Street, but the work will not impact Broad Street.

March 2 through June 1:

• Closure of street parking in the 700 block of West Grace.
• Closure of street parking on North Pine Street between West Grace and the alleyway.
• Closure of sidewalks along the 700 block of West Grace, as well as closure of portions of sidewalks along North Laurel Street and North Pine.
• Closure of crosswalks at the intersections of West Grace and North Laurel, and West Grace and North Pine.

Weather or other unforeseen circumstances may alter this schedule. Any significant changes, as well as future impacts, will be communicated as they are confirmed.

The West Grace Street Housing Project will feature approximately 1,000 single and double semi-suite-style beds as well as a ground floor with a secure residential lobby and space for housing operations, faculty offices, resident amenities and conferencing. Additional ground-floor components include a 5,000-square-foot dining venue, two 1,500-square-foot retail spaces and a 6,000-square-foot mail center. The crescent-shaped facility will include 14 floors on the Laurel Street side and eight floors on the Pine Street side.

For more on the project, visit the information page.