Arlington Campus in Most Sought-After Location in Northern Virginia

by Jocelyn Rappaport

Founders Hall
Photo: George Mason University, Creative Services

Days after the topping-off ceremony for Founders Hall, an article in the New York Times noted that the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor in Arlington, is an "oasis of stability" for its continued ability to attract buyers and developers during the nation's strained economic times.

Terry Holzheimer, School of Public Policy PhD alumnus and Arlington County's director of economic development, is quoted throughout the October 6 article.

"'We just consistently have new development in what we call urban villages,' said Terry Holzheimer." He also notes, "Government agencies and related contractors account for 60 percent of the leased office space in the corridor."

The article mentions that in addition to Mason's School of Public Policy and Law School, the area includes such government and private-sector employers as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Science Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Army Research Office, the Arlington County government, and vibrant shops, restaurants, and other commercial venues.

SPP Deans and Manhattan Construction Reps at topping-off ceremony: (l-r) Thys van Schaik, Jonathan Gifford, Ted Baker, Jim Finkelstein, and Chuck Detwiler
Photo: George Mason University, Creative Services

Founders Hall, the School of Public Policy's soon-to-be new home on the Arlington Campus, is on schedule for completion in 2010. The seven-story building will have 256,000 square feet of classrooms, office space, an auditorium, and a parking garage. As of the end of September, the project was 53 percent completed. With the highest floor in place, Vice President for Facilities Tom Calhoun thanked construction workers at the September 25 topping-off ceremony.

"Our new students often mention our location as being attractive to them, and now we are excited to soon have a first-rate facility in Founders Hall," says Leslie Levin, School of Public Policy assistant dean for graduate admissions and marketing.