As students new and old enter the Institute’s Fall 2025 semester, they are likely to notice extensive progress on projects in and around campus. Construction crews have been working throughout the summer to make headway while students were gone. Most of the projects aimed to improve multimodal connectivity, expand campus capacity and update outdated facilities.
Harrison Square, a landmark site and one of Tech’s oldest parts of campus, has now been reopened. After closing in the summer of 2024 for chilled water pipe replacements, the site, located atop “Freshman Hill,” will once again be available to walk through along Cherry Street with no detours.
The Ferst Drive Realignment and Cycle Track provides a safe bike connection from Tech Square to Marietta Street. The two-way cycle track replaces previous unprotected bike lanes and works with the Techwood cycle track and PATH Parkway to provide a safe and convenient alternative to riding on busy paths in central campus. The section between 6th Street and Cherry Street opened a more direct path for riders last semester, with the remaining sections officially opening on August 13, 2025.
The D.M. Smith Building is set to complete renovations by fall of 2025. Here, infrastructure has been upgraded to include revamped offices and classrooms, wheelchair accessibility, an elevator and new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Home to the School of Public Policy, one of six schools in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, the building will also see the creation of a new virtual lab and hoteling space. The $26 million renovations represent an increasing focus on improving the liberal arts at Tech.
Tech Square Phase 3 is expected to approach its closing point after first breaking ground in 2022, bringing a new home to the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, as well as the MBA and Executive Education programs of the Scheller College of Business. Slated for completion in early 2026, the project will comprise a 14-story Scheller Tower and an 18-story George Tower, marking the culmination of over seven years of planning and investment exceeding $200 million.
Fanning Athletic Center continues to take shape on the northeast corner of Bobby Dodd Stadium. The 100,000-square-foot building will contain nutrition, conditioning and health facilities for Tech student-athletes. Southbound Techwood Drive will continue to be closed until construction concludes in 2026. The project is just one part of the broader “Full Steam Ahead” campaign launched by Tech Athletics that seeks to push Jackets closer toward a championship.
First breaking ground this past March, Curran Street Residence Hall will be Tech’s first new residence hall since 2005. Located between Northside Drive and Curran Street, on Tech’s west campus, the 860-bed traditional dorm will include a communal e-gaming space, 24-hour automated market and fitness center. The dorm, reserved for first-year residents, will be first opened for the 2026-2027 academic year, as freshman classes continue to grow at the Institute.
For more updates and information about the projects, check out the Infrastructure and Sustainability project page: https://facilities.gatech.edu/projects/current