Officials shared plans to convert the property at 2001 Pennsylvania Avenue into administrative spaces at a Campus Plan Advisory Committee meeting on Monday.

Karen Zinn, the associate vice president for the Office of Real Estate, said GW will use 2001 Pennsylvania Ave. space, which officials acquired in late October for $35 million, for offices and “swing spaces.” Zinn said for the University to use the space as offices, officials must first modify the Planned Unit Development to shift the use of the first floor to office space and add signage to the upper floor.

“Just to let you know that the two modifications we’re seeking is one to allow for University use of the building, and that will include the former Bank of America space, which has been vacant down there on the ground floor,” Zinn said. “The second thing that we’re looking to do is to add signage, illuminated building signage on the upper floor.”

Zinn said officials will bring the proposal to the West End Citizens Association, Foggy Bottom Citizens Association and the Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission in the coming months.

“We acquired this building largely for University use, and we plan to convert it as leases expire,” Zinn said. “In the meantime, like all of our real estate, it continues to support the academic mission.”

Officials also shared that Panda Express opened Wednesday, and the on-campus Chick-fil-A will open in a few months despite their initial late April projection. Here are some of the meeting’s highlights:

Officials announce Panda Express unveiling, delayed Chick-fil-A opening date

Panda Express opened Wednesday, and Chick-fil-A is projected to open in the coming months.

In April, University officials announced that Panda Express would open in fall 2024 on the corner of 22nd and I streets. Seth Weinshel, the associate vice president of business services, said the Panda Express would officially open Wednesday, though it opened its doors this weekend with tentative hours to help train new staff, serving about 450 patrons Sunday.

Weinshel said the Panda Express will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

University spokesperson Julia Garbitt said in April that when Panda Express opens, the restaurant will accept GWorld card payments.

Weinshel said Chick-fil-A, which is slated to open on 19th Street in the space formerly occupied by 7-Eleven, is projected to open in the “next few months” but has experienced a “number” of delays. He said at a January meeting that officials slated the restaurant’s initial opening for late April or early May, adding that it would remain open during Mitchell Hall’s construction.

New campus safety position sparked by GWPD arming controversy

Executive Director of Government and Community Relations Kevin Days said the University is launching a new campus safety organization that brings together GW Police Department, University Resilience — Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Advocacy and Support, and Sustainability — and GWorld access officers.

Days said Katie McDonald, an associate vice president and interim associate vice president for campus safety, will oversee the group.

Officials created the role and organization at the recommendation of a police chief involved in the third-party investigation into the GWPD’s arming rollout.

McDonald will oversee campus safety and facilitate “close coordination” between GW offices like the Office of Advocacy and Support and GWPD in light of the recent findings from a third-party investigation, which confirmed reports from former GWPD officers of firearm safety violations within the department.

Officials renew neighborhood clean-up days, expand recycling efforts

Gabrielle Sosa, the director of government relations and stakeholder engagement, said the University and Foggy Bottom Association will host their annual clean-out days at the end of the semester, which will now include the opportunity for people to recycle their electronics.

She said they will hold the clean-out days on May 10 and June 7, offering neighbors a site to donate items, throw away bulk trash and recycle electronics.

“An exciting new opportunity here that we’re hoping to have will be to recycle electronics because we know that is something that community members have asked for at previous clean out days,” Sosa said.

Gelman will close this summer for construction, officials say

Interim Assistant Vice President for Construction Management and Campus Planning Brian Snyder said the University will close Gelman Library this summer for HVAC and fire alarm replacement.

Snyder also said Mitchell Hall will experience a one-lane closure on 19th Street between E Street and F Street on March 22 for a crane pick.