ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 20, 1996 TAG: 9606200062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
Since the 1970s, Roanoke College has tried to gain control of a section of High Street that cuts through its campus, petitioning twice for Salem City Council to turn over the road to the college so it could close the street.
But each time, the college bowed to opposition from residents who wanted the highly used public street to remain open.
Roanoke College is asking the city once again to grant it title for the section of High Street that splits the college campus. But this time, the college says it does not plan to close the road.
City Council will hear the college's request Monday and hold a public hearing on the matter.
The college has petitioned the city to grant it the title to a 240-yard stretch of the street - from just beyond the intersection with Clay Street to Peery Drive - that serves as a short access road and carries traffic to Thompson Memorial Boulevard.
"There are no plans to close it," said Teresa Thomas, director of media relations for the college. "Safety is our main concern."
The college wants control of the road. Right now, campus security cannot pull over speeders along the road - not even students. Only Salem police have jurisdiction on the road.
The college also cannot add markings, such as crosswalks, along the road, Thomas said.
High Street originally served as the eastern boundary of the campus. But as the college expanded, it eventually bought up much of the property on the other side of the road. Now, the campus library, two parking lots and the college art and theater center, Olin Hall, lie east of High Street.
Both students and residents of the northern part of High Street use the road as quick access to downtown Salem.
Roanoke College tried twice to gain control of High Street so that it could close the road - once in 1977 and again in 1989. But after opposition from residents who often use the road, the college withdrew its request each time.
Thomas said the college has no specific plans for the section of High Street. The college realizes that keeping the road open is in its best interest, she said, because the buildings along the road are used a lot by the public - particularly Olin Hall, where public theater performances and art exhibits are held.
But she said having the road turned over to the college "would allow us a little more control."
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: color map. staffby CNB