Thanks to an $80 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Georgia State University will soon begin what is perhaps its largest transformation project ever. The foundation’s contribution will help fund $107 million in upgrades across Georgia State’s downtown Atlanta footprint, a slate of nine projects set to reinvigorate and reimagine the campus experience.

The gift is the largest in Georgia State’s 111-year history, and the largest ever by the foundation to a University System of Georgia (USG) institution.

“The Woodruff Foundation, one of Georgia’s greatest philanthropic institutions and one of downtown’s most important partners, is entrusting us and our University System of Georgia colleagues to act boldly over the next two years to realize a new vision for our downtown campus,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake. “We are grateful for their support and for their partnership in sharing this vision for a college town downtown.”

The Building Pathways for Success Initiative, approved conceptually by the USG Board of Regents’ Committee on Real Estate and Facilities on Tuesday, Nov. 12, includes projects centered around Hurt Park and Woodruff Park, two marquee downtown greenspaces amid Georgia State’s classroom and administrative buildings. The plan calls for transforming the districts surrounding the parks into central hubs that encourage student engagement and strengthen GSU’s efforts to create safe, inviting and comfortable spaces for the community.

Development of the Hurt Park area includes removal of Georgia State’s Sparks Hall to integrate the existing campus Greenway into a district that crosses Gilmer Street and connects to Hurt Park. The reimagined Greenway will include an elevated plaza, enhanced walkways and a vegetated buffer along Courtland Street.

On the north end of Hurt Park, the 100 Edgewood building will get a dining area and gathering space, confirming its presence as a cornerstone of the new campus core. Renovations to the first four floors of the building will provide up-to-date classroom space and interconnecting stairways for improved circulation.

The Arts and Humanities Building, overlooking the newly activated outdoor hub, will get a new, more contemporary façade.

At Woodruff Park, new sidewalks, a realigned streetcar platform, façade improvements to the 25 Park Place building and plaza, and other pedestrian-oriented features will provide connection to Broad Street and the Aderhold Learning Center, and cement the park’s standing as a vibrant, central gathering space and landmark for students and visitors.

“The idea is to create this very comfortable walk between our 25 Park Place plaza and the Aderhold Building,” said Georgia State Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer L. Jared Abramson. “We want to make Woodruff Park a true community space that’s even more open and welcoming to students.”

“This project will breathe new life into our downtown area and into the City of Atlanta,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (M.P.A. ’14). “We all want to make sure that downtown is brighter and more inviting. And as an alumnus of Georgia State, I want to see this campus flourish. This is a great way to connect these parks and to make sure that people have an enjoyable experience downtown."