Drexel University

10/22/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2026 14:56

Campus Construction and Renewal Update: Fall 2026

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Campus Construction and Renewal Update: Fall 2026

Current projects include interior renovations to the Patrick McGonigal Academic Resource Center and interior work at 3201 Cuthbert Street.
October 22, 2026

Interior renovations are underway at the ARC.

By Tony Bracali, University Architect

There has been a lot of activity around the University City Campus this fall, as projects that were "paused," due to the World Cup and other big summer events in Philadelphia, have resumed.

Around Drexel Station at 30th Street, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) continues work to rehabilitate the Market Street Bridge. This project has involved a series of temporary relocations of nearby traffic patterns around campus. At the intersection of John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Market Street, the pedestrian crosswalks have been temporarily modified to allow better flow of diverted traffic; we expect this change to continue into fall 2027. Drexel Real Estate and Facilities recognizes that these conditions are disruptive, so we remain in contact with outside agencies to manage expectations and address concerns. Please follow all posted signage and use caution when traveling through and around construction zones.

Those of you paying very close attention may have noticed a few other changes. The Philadelphia Department of Streets has re-paved 34th Street from Powelton Avenue down to Chestnut Street. The parking lot in front of the 7-Eleven at 34th Street and Lancaster Avenue was also re-paved, and SEPTA added a permanent, sheltered bus stop in front of Nesbitt Hall, at Market and 33rd streets, which serves the 30, 31 and 49 bus routes.

Here is an update on recently completed and ongoing projects on and around Drexel's campuses.

McGonigal Academic Resource Center (ARC) Phase Two Renovations

Phase Two of renovations to the Korman Center for the Patrick McGonigal Academic Resource Center (ARC) has begun, with interior renovations on the west and south sides of the first floor currently underway. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.

3201 Cuthbert Street

There has been lots of exciting progress on the new life sciences building at 3201 Cuthbert Street, as work continues on the interior fit-out of several floors that will eventually be the new home of College of Medicine research functions relocated from Center City and Queen Lane campuses. The first floor is the furthest along, with most of the partitions framed, drywall installed and some flooring and ceiling tiles in place. On the upper floors, many of the walls have been framed, and mechanical systems and services are roughed in. A prototype lab space has been created on the first floor. Drexel Real Estate and Facilities has been working with a move consultant to develop final schedule for the relocations. Furniture planning and selection are underway.

The former Firestone building is currently being cleared for the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing.

Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing

Drexel has selected an architectural and engineering team and is actively working to complete the design and construction documents so we can move toward bidding and construction for the two major capital projects associated with the Howley Foundation's historic gift. Initial project meetings with the Nick Howley College of Engineering and Computing Steering Committee have begun. The former Firestone building at 32nd Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard is being cleared, and the neon collection is being relocated to secure storage. We are excited to share more details on these important projects as they progress.

Mandell Theater Lighting and Structural Upgrades

The show must go on! Renovation work proceeded throughout the summer and the theater has re-opened for use with new house lights, stair lights and lighting controls, new carpet and upgraded fire safety systems. Major upgrades to lighting and sprinkler systems are carefully hidden overhead.

Athletics Facilities

Renovations to the men's soccer locker room at Friel Fieldhouse were completed this summer, and additional work was completed to upgrade the finishes and lighting in the hallways. At the Daskalakis Athletic Center, upgrades to the steam room are in progress.

The parking lots at the Vidas Athletic Complex were re-paved and re-striped this summer, with a few potholes repaired during the process. The synthetic turf at Maguire Field was also replaced over the summer.

Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships: Beachell Computer Lab

We are finalizing plans to develop a computer lab, funded by a donor gift, in the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships. Work is expected to begin in the late fall and be completed in early 2027.

Thomas R. Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy

We are currently performing exterior stone repair and cleaning on the Center City building, to be followed by new "coloring" added to the existing stone lettering at the pediment on the façade. Once this work is complete, new, decorative gates will be installed at the building entrance. All work on this historic building located at 1200 Chestnut St. was approved by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.

Infrastructure Improvements

Over the summer, repairs and upgrades were completed for the Korman Data Center HVAC mechanical units and the Center of Automation Technology and LeBow Engineering Center chiller plant.

How to Get the Latest Facilities Updates

Construction, maintenance and utility updates: You can opt in to receive email notifications of construction work, scheduled utility shutoffs and other scheduled maintenance work being performed by Real Estate and Facilities by emailing [email protected] with only the following information in the body of the message: subscribe facilities-notices-L.

Bus service updates: For the latest information, real-time tracking and alerts, download Drexel Transit, powered by the TripShot app, for iOS or Android. On the Setup screen, enter "Drexel" as the Service Name and click Next. Select "Log in with Drexel Connect" and sign in with your Drexel user ID and password (the same credentials you use to access the DrexelOne portal).

Real Estate and Facilities website: Facilities Notices (shutoffs, outages, repairs, construction) are posted to a feed that appears on the homepage, and progress updates for major Drexel and partner projects on campus are posted on the Current Projects page.

Drexel University published this content on October 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 22, 2026 at 20:56 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]