Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270055
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Barton Wilner, spokesman for the organizers of the club, said he has signed about 200 members, about half the number needed for a viable organization.
He said the drive for members will continue, but the exclusive option to buy the property for $1 million has expired. If enough members can still be enrolled, he said, the club will have the same status as other interested parties in bidding for the Carolina Avenue property.
Thomas Robertson, Carilion president, said the health care facilities company will seek written proposals and offering prices for Cherry Hill and several other properties that it has declared surplus.
Carilion will not take formal bids, Robertson said, because the company would like to negotiate with buyers to use Cherry Hill in a way that is compatible with the neighborhood.
It has been reported that a nursing home, town houses and condominiums have been proposed for the hilltop house by various developers, but Robertson said he will not know which developers have a serious interest until the hospital receives written proposals.
He said he did not know how long the process of calling for proposals will take because he has no knowledge of the degree of interest in the property.
Carilion had given an exclusive option on the property to organizers of the proposed club until Sept. 1, then extended it to Sept. 20. It was not specifically ruled as lapsed until late Monday, however.
Wilner said Carilion had been "gracious" but had to pursue other options after his 50-day drive netted only 200 memberships.
The organizers will keep trying, he said, because 670 people had originally indicated an interest in joining such a club. Some of the 200 who did sign up were not on that original list
The club's organizers set an initiation fee of $1,000 and monthly charges of $100.
by CNB