Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 14, 1993 TAG: 9311140043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The telephone rings in Jane Stephenson's office. She talks to the caller about another tenant's moving plans.
Carpenters and painters put on the finishing touches. Delivery men carry chairs, desks and other furniture into freshly painted offices.
The old Jefferson High School on West Campbell Avenue is alive again.
After standing vacant and slowly deteriorating for nearly two decades, the 70-year-old building is abuzz with activity.
It has been converted into the Jefferson Center, a multipurpose facility that will house performing arts organizations, city offices and community service agencies.
Seven tenants already have moved into the $5.5 million center, which is being financed by public and private money. Six more will move in by Jan. 1.
The early tenants include a Total Action Against Poverty day-care center, which has brought the sound of children's voices back to the school grounds.
Stephenson, manager/executive director of the center, said the renovated structure is being filled rapidly as more tenants move in.
The Jefferson Foundation, the nonprofit organization that has spearheaded the project, has appointed Stephenson to oversee the center's operation.
Stephenson has been working on the project for four years. Originally a temporary employee to help with early planning, she has continued to work on the project and has become attached to it.
"We're certainly pleased to have Jane," said retired Judge Beverly Fitzpatrick, a founding member of the Jefferson Foundation and main catalyst for the project.
Stephenson's responsibilities will include public relations, fund raising, tenant relations and directing daily operations.
Three city offices already occupy much of the first floor: the administrative offices for the Fire and Water departments and training facilities for the Roanoke Police Academy.
The Court Community Corrections program has moved in on the third floor, along with offices for the Mental Health Association of the Roanoke Valley.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Opera Roanoke will move in soon. The Roanoke Ballet Theatre also will be housed in the center.
The school's auditorium is not being renovated in the first phase of the project, but center officials hope this can be done as quickly as possible for the symphony, opera and ballet.
The initial phase, costing $3.3 million, has included complete exterior renovation, interior renovation of more than half the space and stabilization of the remainder.
The original plans focused on the performing arts, but the concept was expanded to include space for community service agencies and city offices.
Other agencies and organizations that will move in during the coming weeks include: Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Service, Habit for Humanity, Blue Ridge Community Services (for mental health), Roanoke Jaycees and Roanoke schools (for a special project).
The center's offices and a memorabilia room for the old school also are on the first floor.
All tenants will pay rent to cover operation and maintenance costs.
Stephenson said the Roanoke Valley public access channel on the Cox Cable system is considering locating its offices and studio in the center.
She said three other organizations have inquired about space, but she would not identify them because the discussions are in the early stages.
The requests for space have exceeded expectations, Stephenson said.
The center will have 300 parking spaces because of agreements with nearby property owners, she said.
Fitzpatrick said he is particularly looking forward to renovation of the 900-seat auditorium. The finished auditorium will have opera boxes and chandeliers.
Plans for renovating the school began eight years ago after an alumni group began a campaign to save the structure.
Voters approved $3.5 million in bonds to help finance the project. The Jefferson Foundation, the tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, is raising $2 million to help finance the rest.
City officials believe the Jefferson Center will help revitalize the western part of downtown, similar to the impact of the City Market and Center in the Square on the eastern portion.
by CNB