Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991 TAG: 9102070391
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
The 300,000-square-foot, eight-floor addition will be on the south side of the existing building in what is now a parking lot. The commission also will recommend closing two short streets, Weller Lane and Park Road Southeast.
The project, announced last year, includes a new trauma center and emergency room, cardiac surgery operating rooms and intensive care units.
The city, which had owned the parking lot and leased it to the hospital for $1 a year, has agreed to sell the property to the hospital.
The property has been part of the city's nearby Crystal Spring water supply, a spring that helps supplement the Carvins Cover and Falling Creek reservoirs.
There was no opposition to the rezoning or street closings at a public hearing.
I.B. Heineman, an executive with Carilion Health Systems, said he had discussed the expansion plans with representatives of the South Roanoke neighborhood organization.
Walt Jones, an architect for the project, said the expansion will reduce congestion around the hospital because of new traffic routing and because its design will permit creation of 72 new parking spaces.
Heineman said parking and traffic problems will be further reduced because 300 employees will be transferred to Community Hospital when the pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology units are moved there.
"We will see a reduction in traffic because we will have fewer beds and less square footage," he said.
by CNB