Liberty University’s Master Plan Seeks to Solidify Status

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Liberty University, located in rural Lynchburg, is known as the largest Christian university in the world, and the university’s new master plan is upholding that reputation. The university is currently in the midst of a $400 million campus overhaul that will improve nearly every facility on campus, as well as new construction projects.

The largest of these new projects will be six new eight-floor dormitories, one of which was completed before the start of the 2014 school year. Academia-wise, Liberty plans to build new state-of-the-art science and music buildings, as well as a new Center for Health and Medical Sciences. On Oct. 9, the university also approved the construction of a brand-new 4,500-seat sports arena to house its basketball, wrestling and hockey programs, as well as a bridge to the facility that will span the adjacent US Highway 460. Further expanding its recreational and sports offerings, Liberty will also build a natatorium with an Olympic-grade swimming pool, as well as a state-of-the-art NCAA-approved weight-lifting facility. Additionally, the school intends to construct a greenway in the middle of campus and an indoor practice facility for the school’s football team, and will expand the existing hockey arena.

The university also recently petitioned city council to allow construction of the school’s Campus Landmark Tower, which if built would become the city of Lynchburg’s largest building at 252 feet.

As Liberty University is a private school, the city of Lynchburg has little say in the schools construction plans. However, Kimball Payne, Lynchburg’s city manager, along with many other city officials, couldn’t be happier with Liberty’s plans.

“The transformation that is occurring there is phenomenal. We’ve tried to work with them and accommodate Liberty’s growth,” Payne told the Roanoke Times in October.

Payne added that the main concern the city has with Liberty’s exponential growth and the construction of these new facilities is the subsequent traffic inflow, as well as the university’s proper adherence to building codes and environmental regulations.