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Life, Health, Safety, Accessibility, and Code Compliance

Rendering of the Life, Health, Safety, Accessibility, and Code Compliance project.

Construction background

The capital construction project will create an accessible route through the North Academic District that includes Bishop-Favrao Hall, Derring Hall, Cowgill Hall, Johnston Student Center, and the planned Hitt Hall. 

Two new structures - which include double elevator banks with two stops each, glass lobbies, and connecting platforms - are among project features that will enhance accessibility, mobility, and safety in the region.

Due to existing topography and building footprints, the current pedestrian corridor from Perry Street to Cowgill Plaza traverses multiple campus elevations and is stair-intensive. Alternative accessible routes are circuitous, lengthy, and difficult to locate and navigate. 

The project is the first priority of three high-priority accessibility initiatives identified by the university in the Life, Health, Safety, Accessibility, and Code Compliance category of the 2018-24 Capital Outlay Plan.

Additional design features and elements:

  • New bench seating
  • Hokie Stone
  • Transparent glazed glass
  • New planters

Additional project details

Project status
Design preview (to be previewed at the November 2021 Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting)

Timeframe
Anticipated construction start in June 2022

Gross-square-feet (GSF)
Approximately 1,555 GSF

Architectural/Engineering (A/E)
Quinn Evans

Contractor
TBD

Virginia Tech project manager
Gerard Folio

Media contact
Mark Owczarski