ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, August 10, 1996              TAG: 9608120096
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: A-6  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY

ROANOKE FIRM TO STUDY NS BUILDING RENOVATION

Motley+Associates of Roanoke has been hired to study the feasibility of renovating a former Norfolk Southern General Office Building near Hotel Roanoke to house a higher education center. The study will be done in increments, with the first phase to focus on parking availability and how programs from some 10 institutions of higher learning would fit into the building.

Those answers are due by the end of November and will determine the continuation of the study, said Ben Motley, president of Motley+Associates.

If the project appears feasible, then funding potential, compatibility with local community interests and coordination with adjacent initiatives such as the Rail Walk, Henry Street Development and the hotel will be considered, he said.

The building involved is known as G.O.B. North and is adjacent to an older railroad office building. Mark McConnel will lead the project for Motley.

Being selected for the study means Motley is in line to get the contract for the renovation project if it goes forward. The contract for the study says the contractor for the renovation can choose the architectural and planning firm without requiring Motley to compete for the job.

The General Assembly appropriated $75,000 for the full study. The money is being funneled through Virginia Western Community College, which is one of the schools interested in using the building.

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