ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 1997 TAG: 9702040077
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
State lawmakers will decide this week whether to allocate more money to planning a higher education center in downtown Roanoke.
The General Assembly is scheduled to vote before Friday on recommendations of both House and Senate budget committees this past weekend to give the project a second grant of $100,000. Approval by those committees virtually guarantees the Assembly's endorsement.
Analysts have said it is feasible to convert the taller of two vacant Norfolk Southern Corp. buildings on North Jefferson Street into a 37-classroom center. The project would cost $12.7 million, according to a December estimate by Motley & Associates, a Roanoke architectural firm.
The center, across the street from the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, would enroll students working toward an undergraduate degree who have had two years of college. The $100,000 would enable planners to design the interior, figure out a way to pay for renovations and study programs to be offered, said Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, sponsor of the funding request. Edwards said the project would take several years to complete.
At least eight colleges and universities are interested in locating programs in the nine-story, 66-year-old building, Edwards has said: Virginia Tech, Virginia Western Community College, Radford University, Old Dominion University, Mary Baldwin College, University of Virginia, Averett College and Bluefield College.
On a related matter, Edwards said legislation he introduced is moving forward to form a new government entity, the Roanoke Higher Education Authority, to own, develop and operate the center. Starting July 1, 1998, 17 people would direct its affairs, among them college representatives, residents, and state officials.
Project planners and Edwards are working on the assumption that Norfolk Southern will donate or sell the building to the authority. The company has not announced such a plan.
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB