Spring 2025 Update on Campus Construction Projects The Williams School and Lindley Center remain on schedule for completion before Fall Term 2025, while several campus improvement projects will begin this summer.

By Brian Laubscher
April 10, 2025

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Washington and Lee University continues its construction on the new Williams School and the Lindley Center for Student Wellness in support of the campus master plan that was approved by the Board of Trustees in October 2021.

In addition to the construction of these new facilities, several additional updates to the campus infrastructure will begin after Commencement in May. Below is an update on current and upcoming projects.

New Williams School Building
The exterior architectural elements of the new Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics building are nearing completion, and the construction will soon be entirely focused on the interior of the building. The roof is nearly finished, and the building will receive cleaning treatments to the exterior brick and windows. The building’s mechanical and electrical systems are virtually complete, with the commissioning of the systems expected to begin within the next month. The central communicating stairway is evolving, and the elevator is nearly operational. Individual rooms are quickly taking shape, while the interior finishes will soon become a primary focus, including the installation of carpet and tile flooring. The walls have received the first coat of paint and the installation of light fixtures is ongoing. The outdoor classroom that serves as a prominent exterior feature of the building will be completed in the coming weeks. The interior finishes and outside landscaping and walkways will be a priority over the summer months. The entire project is on schedule for completion before the start of Fall Term 2025.

Lindley Center for Student Wellness
The Lindley Center is also rapidly nearing completion. The exterior is receiving some remaining architectural trim under the roof canopy and eaves, while the entire outside of the building has already been washed and cleaned. Crews are working to complete the sidewalks and stairs around the building and are in the process of installing the last of the doors and windows. Many of the interior finishes have already been incorporated, including casework, plumbing fixtures, doors and hardware. The walls are receiving a second coat of paint, and the elevator will be operational soon. The building will be completed and all student health services will transfer to the new building in time for the arrival of students on campus this fall.

Tom Wolfe Reading Room (Leyburn Library)
The research and reading room for the Special Collections and Archives area of Leyburn Library will be completely renovated, beginning with the removal of furniture and artifacts this month. Expected to be completed by the start of Fall Term 2025, the $1.35 million project will modernize the space, which will be known as the Tom Wolfe Reading Room.

Washburn Tennis Courts (Lower Courts)
A $1.1 million renovation of the lower Washburn Tennis Courts will commence immediately following the completion of the intercollegiate tennis season in May. The improvements will entail stripping all the courts down to grade followed by a complete reconstruction of the playing surface. The courts will be repainted to include additional doubles courts and will feature markings to accommodate pickleball. Additionally, the courts will receive new protective fencing and electrical and conduit infrastructure to support the future addition of lights.

Sydney Lewis Hall
The final piece of the exterior maintenance work to Sydney Lewis Hall will be completed this summer with the installation of new solar panels. The sequenced work, which began in May 2023, involved a replacement of the roof and various landscaping and foundation improvements. The next-generation solar panels will be ballasted for added flexibility and increased safety for maintenance employees. The work will begin shortly following Law Commencement in May and is expected to be completed by mid-summer.

Elrod Commons
Exterior maintenance work on the Woods Creek side of the John W. Elrod Commons will begin the week of April 21. This necessary work will begin with the structural stabilization of the entire back patio outside The Marketplace Dining Hall. After this work is completed, the university will begin the construction of an ADA-compliant ramp leading to the lobby area directly outside the entrance to The Marketplace and the WLUR studio. Both the patio and ramp work are expected to be completed by the beginning of Fall Term 2025.

Sorority Footbridge
The bridge leading to the sorority houses will receive preventative maintenance to the walking surface and railings. This work will begin after undergraduate Commencement in May and will be completed in time for Fall Term 2025.

University Parking Garage
The University Parking Garage will also be receiving preventative maintenance for a portion of the summer months. The work is expected to close the garage’s top level for approximately four weeks and restricts access to the EV charging stations until the work is complete. The maintenance will also periodically require the closure of a portion of the garage’s third level. Campus community members are encouraged to utilize the lower two levels of the garage until the work is complete.

Campus Utility Infrastructure
The university will begin updates to its campus utility infrastructure immediately following undergraduate Commencement in May. The updates represent an ambitious step toward modernizing the campus’s heating and cooling systems. Phase 1 of the project is expected to take one year to complete while the entire infrastructure project will take several years to finish. More detailed information on Phase 1 of the infrastructure project will be shared with the W&L community next month.

For updates on all of the university’s capital projects, please visit the Capital Projects update page on the University Facilities website.