ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 3, 1997 TAG: 9704030013
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: LESLIE HAGER-SMITH THE ROANOKE TIMES
A variety of nonprofit groups are considering a proposal to reuse Radford Community Hospital's current building when it moves out in late 1998.
Carilion Radford Community Hospital's current building may be transformed into a new center for social service, arts and education groups after the hospital moves out late next year, according to a consultant.
Representatives from health and human service groups, economic development agencies, and education and arts organizations met Wednesday to consider possible uses for the building and, in particular, how their own needs might be met by moving there.
Sixteen respondents to a survey expressed initial interest and a need for a combined total of 50,000 square feet of space. That's about one-third of what's available in the old building, which will be vacant in only 18 months if construction of the new facility beside Interstate 81 in Montgomery County progresses on schedule. According to consultant and former Roanoke planner Brian Wishneff, that's a figure large enough to give the concept momentum.
Wednesday's meeting was the second major gathering to solicit input on the hospital building's future.
Neighbors in Radford's "Plan A" district met in December to draw up a wish list with Wishneff. At least a dozen ideas were floated at that meeting, which was attended by about 40 residents of the upscale area surrounding the hospital. Most ideas were for related services: an assisted living center or nursing home; a state-of-the-art Alzheimer's unit; sick child care; or physician's offices.
Those in attendance at the first meeting opposed university-related facilities, low income housing, a recreation center or juvenile detention center. The city, which will soon renovate and expand its Municipal Building, has a 103-year-old police station and is need of new recreation facilities, as well. Some thought a rec center would be a thrifty, community-oriented reuse of the building, but the concept was not well-received by city officials or the neighbors.
Wishneff gives the latest concept good odds, however. He cited the benefits of joint marketing, for example, among arts organizations. The building's location would also make it a convenient center for educational, medical or other service activities in the valley, he said.
"Space is a big issue for nonprofits," said Kymn Davidson-Hamley of the United Way. Facilities are frequently inadequate or poorly maintained. Space and money could be saved by sharing break, meeting and conference rooms with other similar organizations, she said. The groups will reconvene in another month to further the exploration.
No two "reuse" projects are alike, Wishneff said, but he is optimistic about this one. "There seems to be more interest here in cooperative programming, as opposed to just interest in the building."
One new idea that came out of Wednesday's meeting was to divide the building in half, one part for businesses and the other for nonprofits. Those assembled viewed the project as having major regional potential; they urged planners to think of it that way and to explore further possibilities for development by contacting regional planners and elected officials.
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