By Ron Miller
From the January 3, 1985 edition of The Salem Times-Register
The Roanoke College Board of Trustees has approved the purchase of 78 acres of property on Idaho Street owned by Lutheran Children’s Home, according to board chairman Henry A. Dudley. The sale is expected to close in March.
Ron Herring, executive director of the Lutheran Children’s Home, confirmed that negotiations on the property which have been underway for over a year are “getting serious” and that an agreement is likely by March.
“We’ve agreed in principle to buy the property,” said William R. Walton, vice president for business affairs of Roanoke College. “Now we’re down to working out the details.”
One of the details already decided in the agreement which gas been on the drafting table since early December is that Lutheran Family Services, the agency which operates the children’s home, will retain possession of about 10 acres of the 88-acre tract which occupies a hill across from the civic center.
The organization is retaining the land near the entrance on Idaho street for the operation of two group homes and possible some other facilities.
A purchase price has not been settled, but the property was appraised two years ago at $1.7 million. Because Lutheran Family Services will retain 10 acres, the college’s price will be “less than that,” Walton said.
Another major provision to be worked into the contract is that the property be rezoned so that Roanoke College may operate the existing buildings as an institution for higher learning. The property is currently zoned R-1. It must be zoned R-2 in order to be operated as a college under Salem zoning ordinances.
According to Randy Smith, Salem’s assistant city manager, the board of trustees of Roanoke College have applied for the rezoning which would allow the college to operate on the property.
Neither Walton nor Smith expect any opposition to the application for rezoning of the property. Walton has met with “two or three” residents neighboring the property who say they are happy the college plans to purchase the property rather than a developer.
The college’s request to have the property rezoned from R-1 to R-2 will be heard by the Salem Planning Commission Jan. 16 and by city council Jan. 28.
Walton expects the acquisition to be an extension of the present campus, but does not anticipate an increase in the number of students attending the college, nor does he believe the purchase will mean the addition of advanced degree programs. “Part of our mission is to remain a four-year liberal arts college. We won’t change what we’re doing,” he said.
According to the application for rezoning, the property will be used to house students possible while Sections dormitories are being renovated in the 1985-1986 school year.
The buildings on the property are in “pretty good shape” and won’t require a great deal of renovation, Walton said. Some of the residences may need paint work on the floors, and servicing of heating and plumbing fixtures he added.
Student s will be expected to drive between the two campuses, Walton Said. Only those students with cars could live in the newly acquired facility.
There is an immediate need at the college for the athletic fields on Lutheran Home property which the college has leased from the children’s home for the past several years, Walton said.
The college also plans to continue to lease the facility’s heated pool. Revenues will be used to help pay the cost of pool maintenance, Walton said.
The college’s board of trustees is looking at the use of the property as a cultural center and for a center of continuing education. The property will be used for community outreach programs which have heretofore been limited to summer session because of alack of space on the Salme campus. Those outreach programs currently include Elderhostel, Elderscholar and the science Olympics.
AS part of the agreement, Lutheran family service will continue to occupy the Administration Building at the children’s home at least until July 1, 1986, to allow an ad hoc planning committee time to research the relocation of offices now housed there.
In the 1950’s the century old Lutheran Children’s Home cottaged its largest population of 140 children. Now, due to an updating of family services which places emphasis on serving families in their communities, there are two remodeled structures on the 10 acres the organization plans to retain, each housing six boys, a married couple and an assistant.
The mission is converting its assets in order to keep long range plans of decentralization in motion, according to Herring. The decision to serve families in crisis on their own turf will require the Lutheran Family Services to open centers in other communities, rather than bring children toa central location.
The idea of selling the land has been discussed for several years, Herring said. The mission no longer needs the land which was once used as a profitable farming operation.
“We are pleased to be purchasing this property not only because of its value the college as a means of expansion, but also because of its long Lutheran History,” said Roanoke College President Norman Fintel of the agreement.
-Prepared by Shelly Koon
