JMU Phillips Hall

Nicknamed PC Dukes and Top Dog, Phillips Hall at James Madison University (JMU) offered fast food and a la carte alternatives to dining hall fare for 30 years. Although it served 40,000 meals a week, it was past its prime by modern food service standards and taken offline after a new West Campus dining hall opened in 2018. The structure was demolished in preparation for a new $25.1 million retail dining facility.

On the steeply graded site, the new three-story 42,280 sf retail dining facility will increase seating capacity by several hundred to 950 as well as streamline operations. Entrances on all three levels will take advantage of the sloped site. Outdoor seating, landscaping, and walkways will nurture campus connections.

JMU enlisted Schnabel to provide a full suite of environmental services, which included an environmental impact review conducted in accordance with state codes and procedures, Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA), hazardous building materials survey, and abatement design specifications. The ESA incorporated a records review, site reconnaissance, interviews, and a findings report in accordance with ASTM 1527.

The hazardous building materials survey consisted of limited asbestos and lead-based paint inspections per the EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations. The survey also addressed light ballasts, fluorescent bulbs, and thermostat switches with respect to the presence of PCBs and mercury. Our teaming subconsultant, EI Group, prepared abatement design specifications based on results of the hazardous building materials survey.

^{Photo: © Steve Maylone}