The plans for Georgetown’s Performing Arts Center were approved by the D.C. Zoning Commission on Monday night, ending debate about the University’s compliance with conditions imposed on its 10-year plan by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Construction of the new facility will begin in August and include a renovation of the Ryan Administration Building as well as the addition of 30,000 additional square feet to the existing structure. The Performing Arts Center is estimated to cost $18.3 million.
The construction was originally postponed after community members filed a complaint with the D.C. Zoning Commission against the University. The complaint alleged that the University had failed to comply with the conditions added to the University’s 10-year plan in 2000, which include an enrollment cap of 5,627 students and mandatory vehicle registration for students.
The condition requiring students to register their vehicles in the District only mandates that the University be in contact with the Department of Motor Vehicles; it does not call for each individual student to contact the DMV. Because of this technicality, the University was not in violation and can, therefore, move ahead with its construction.
Citizens Association of Georgetown member Barbara Zartman said that the BZA’s policy is “subjective,” and the product of “poor drafting.”
Compliance with the enrollment cap has been debated due to Georgetown’s policy of averaging the number of students attending the university fall semester with the number of students enrolled for the spring semester. By averaging the two numbers, enrollment is below the mandatory cap. However, the CAG has contended that averaging should not be allowed, which would put the University over the cap. The decision about whether to allow averaging will be made by May 12.
Zartman said she believes that if the University is found to be not complying with any of the BZA’s conditions, sanctions should be imposed. “We believe that the BZA intended to have consequences to its conditions,” she said.
University Spokeswoman Gloria Lacap maintained Georgetown’s claim of compliance and said she was pleased with the Zoning Commission’s decision. “The University is enthusiastic about the resources this Performing Arts Center will provide for Georgetown students, faculty, staff and neighborhood community members. We believe we are in compliance with the conditions of our Campus Plan as set forth, and are looking forward to a construction start date sometime in August,” Lacap said.
