We provide this information to keep the campus informed of the ongoing Army Corps of Engineers activity on and around the AU campus. As we have described in previous announcements, the Army Corps is conducting a multi-year effort to find and dispose of any remaining debris from the research and weapons testing done in Northwest Washington by the U.S. Army during World War I.
The most obvious work in the next few weeks will be on the Nebraska Avenue parking lot and areas close to the soccer field and radio tower. The work will resemble common construction activities and will require only standard construction safety protocols.
- Nebraska Parking Lot—As mentioned in President Kerwin’s July 23 campus memo, the Army Corps will remove asphalt and dig three trenches on the Nebraska parking lot the week of September 14 to address questions raised by some ground scars revealed by 1920s era aerial photography. The work area will be cordoned off until the asphalt is replaced, which is scheduled to be finished by Thursday, September 24.
- Areas Close to the Soccer Field and Radio Tower—Two additional campus areas will have test pits dug the week of September 21—east of Reeves field and close to the radio tower. All work and restoration are scheduled to be finished by Friday, September 25.
Signs and barriers will be installed to direct your travel in a safe manner. Please respect these safety measures. Similar “low probability” work will be done on the soccer field after the season ends (late December and early January).
We will provide updates on these and other aspects of the Army Corps work in the weeks to come, including the work at 4825 Glenbrook Road and the Public Safety Building areas. Additional information and project background is available through AU’s own Web site devoted to the Army Corps project; the Army Corps Spring Valley Project Web site; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Web site; and other links identified on AU’s site.
American University’s primary concern is and will continue to be the safety and well being of our campus and the surrounding community.
