Groundbreaking liberal arts

Photo by Kanji Takeno

TU launches construction on first entirely new academic building since 1977

By Jan Lucas and Stuart Zang

Under a clear blue sky, TU faculty, staff, students, local government officials and other well-wishers met this morning to break ground for the 250,000-square-foot College of Liberal Arts Building.

The construction site spreads over and beyond the former site of the Lida Lee Tall building. The College of Liberal Arts building will be TU’s first entirely academic building since Hawkins Hall, Lecture Hall and the Psychology Building opened in 1977. When completed in fall 2011, it will function as TU’s “public face” along Towsontown Boulevard.

The CLA building will complement the university’s historic structures while setting the standard for future projects with its 21st-century design and innovative use of interior space.

“This new academic facility will have a lot of learning spaces designed to bring students and faculty together outside of the classroom,” says David Mayhew, director of architecture, engineering and construction for Facilities Management. “Small conference rooms in older buildings tend to get little use. With the growth of wireless technology, we’ve come to realize that students would rather get together in a lounge environment, and the CLA building will support this new type of academic learning space.” He says energy-efficient mechanical systems will be installed to promote indoor air quality and lower operating costs.

Construction will consist of two phases at a total cost of $120 million. Phase One, to be finished in spring 2009 for fall occupancy, will include three 90-seat classrooms, three 45-seat classrooms, eight 36-seat classrooms and seven seminar rooms. Phase Two, to begin in late 2009, will include 13 45-seat classrooms, 17 mid-size classrooms and 24 seminar rooms.

TU President Robert L. Caret said of the project, "The new College of Liberal Arts Building will add visual excitement to our campus and serve as a learning center for our students as well as the community.

“Towson University provides a strong foundation in the liberal arts, and this building reflects our continued commitment to that effort."

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