Dear Vanderbilt community & friends:

Over the past few years, we have witnessed significant changes to our campus’ built environment along West End Ave. With the opening of Warren and Moore Colleges in 2014 and the completion of E. Bronson Ingram College approaching later this year, our residential college system is stepping into world-class territory.

At Vanderbilt, we firmly believe that providing a singular undergraduate residential education experience that fosters community through engaged living and learning is an essential piece of carrying out our Academic Strategic Plan.

The continuation of this expansion has now reached what we are calling “The West End Neighborhood”—the area that currently houses Carmichael Towers, Greek Row and West Side Row. In this particular area of campus, we are also embarking upon a beautification project to provide a more “park-like feel” to create more engaging and inclusive spaces. Much of this planning has been powered by the campus community, rooted in the guiding principles of FutureVU, our land use planning initiative.

This newsletter, which will be issued regularly, seeks to keep the West End Neighborhood community informed by providing key project and construction updates. Our goal is to keep everyone up to date about this exciting transformation and to allow an opportunity for gathering feedback. To that end, should have you questions or comments, please visit the West End Neighborhood page on the FutureVU website or e-mail WENCommunications@vanderbilt.edu.

We are looking forward to seeing how these efforts will shape the future of Vanderbilt!

Sincerely,

Susan R. Wente

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Eric Kopstain

Vice Chancellor for Administration

Overall Project Highlights

• Consistent with the Academic Strategic Plan’s aim to enhance the undergraduate residential experience, three new residential colleges will be constructed along West End Avenue between 23^rd and 25^th Avenues.
• The following ideas denote efforts to beautify and enhance the neighborhood while keeping the tenets of inclusivity and accessibility at the forefront:
  • Trees lining pathways and streets to separate pedestrians and cars
  • Underground electrical lines
  • Pedestrian and bike friendly zones on roads
  • More open spaces for community activities and events
• A variety of student groups will be engaged within the neighborhood, including IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural Leadership Council, and other student groups.

Noise Control Updates

Construction work hours have shifted from the traditional 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to the later schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Work on Saturdays will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Saturday work although not continuous will be heavier in the beginning of the job.  No work on Sunday is planned.

Transportation Updates

December 2017 marked the closure of lots 69, 69A, 70, and the alley between 25^th Avenue and Carmichael Towers 3 and 4.  This current phase includes the burying of overhead utilities as part of the efforts to prepare the site for a new residential college and beautification efforts.  The closure of these lots and alley is permanent.

To aid students during this time, Parking Services will continue to make five floors of the 25^th Avenue Garage available to F permit holders.  A Vandy Vans stop was installed at this location, and will continue to support increased student traffic in the area. Parking Services will also offer a half year student “F” permit next academic year for those who would like to bring a car to campus during fall 2018 and leave it home spring semester 2019.

The university is developing a comprehensive mobility and transportation strategy that will address parking needs, look at a variety of enhancements to improve the accessibility of campus, and additional transportation options, such as expanded shuttle service, improved biking infrastructure and Uber/Lyft drop-off points.  We will continue to update the Vanderbilt community as plans develop.

If students have questions regarding parking changes, as well as the half year permit or reserved permit locations in Kensington, please call Parking Services at (615) 322-2554.