Western Welcome Center Construction Impacts

Construction for the Western Welcome Center, located at the south end of the academic core of campus, began March 24, 2026. Completion is expected in fall of 2027. The new 29,000-square-foot building will serve as a welcoming front door for Western and a hub for student services that support access, belonging, and success.

Construction 

• Aggregate pier installation is now complete, and noise levels should return to previous levels.
• Safety fencing went up during spring break, enclosing Flag Plaza and parking lot 19G, both of which will remain closed for the duration of construction.
• Throughout the summer, the team will focus on ground improvement, laying the foundation, and beginning structural work.
• Expect intermittent construction noise.
• Regular construction hours will be 7 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday. Notifications will be sent ahead of construction occurring outside regular hours.
• Several mature trees within the construction zone, including the cherry trees planted following the completion of the Academic Instructional Center in 2007, have been removed and will be replaced once construction is finished.
  • The tree replacement plan includes matching the cherry trees along the walkway to the north heading toward the stairs between Parks and Environmental Studies.
  • This will create a long flower corridor through south campus that should be fully established within 3-5 years.
  • Two trees will be planted for each one removed, some to create the flower corridor and some in other locations on campus.
  • Trees outside the construction zone will be undisturbed.
• Flag poles and flags will be stored during construction.
  • At this time, we will not be able to fly institutional or affinity flags, but we are continuing to look for alternative options during the construction period.
  • The flag poles will be refurbished and reinstalled after construction is done. 

Parking

• Parking lot 19G officially closed March 21.
• 19G permit holders have been relocated to parking lot 12G.
• Additional information about parking permits for employees can be found on the Transportation Services employee permits web page. 

Traffic 

• Pedestrian traffic is being rerouted on paths to the east and west of the site.
• A bicycle dismount zone has been established on both paths.
• A graded path has been added on the east side of the site to bypass the stairs at the southeast corner of Flag Plaza to allow ADA access to the academic buildings east of the site.
• Crosswalks from Bill McDonald Parkway and South College Drive will remain open, but the sidewalk at the south end of the site will be closed. Please cross the street to use the sidewalk near the parking areas.
• Flaggers will direct traffic when trucks are entering and leaving the site.
• Truck traffic may cause delays on Bill McDonald Parkway and East and West College Ways and South College Drive.
• Please use caution when approaching the intersection of West College Way and Bill McDonald Drive, whether using a vehicle or walking. Increased pedestrian and truck traffic in the area will make the area more difficult to navigate. 

Christopher Mead, Project Manager Architect, (360) 650-4005

Tom Crawford, Construction Coordinator, (360) 650-4407

John Thompson, Director of University Communications, (360) 650-3350