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Wittenberg's expansion may include hospital's land
Property on Fountain Boulevard would boost size of the university more than 50 percent
COMMENT: Share your thoughts on this
Thursday, January 10, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — Landlocked Wittenberg University would grow more than 50 percent if it reached an agreement to purchase Springfield Regional Medical Center, Fountain Boulevard campus.
The 163-year-old university, sitting on 90 acres, recently purchased five acres on East College Avenue and is looking to purchase another four acres on East McCreight Street. If it can firm up the acquisition of part or all of the 37-acre hospital, it would increase its footprint up to 136 acres.
Extras
Community Mercy Health Partners is relocating its two campuses on Fountain Boulevard and High Street to a new complex downtown in 2012.
"This kind of space does not come available very often," said Darrell Kitchen, Wittenberg's vice president of business and finance. "I would say this is not typical."
Community Mercy owns 1.4 acres of land next to the Jefferson Center and has agreed to sell that empty lot to the university, said hospital spokesman Jim Senese. The two sides are in discussions about additional property, but no agreements have been reached.
If an agreement is reached with the hospital, possession would not be immediate, Kitchen said.
"It is highly unlikely (the hospital site) would be in our hands by the end of the year," he said. "It will be long-range, such as the (2013-14) time frame."
The nine acres on McCreight Street and College Avenue are the former Jefferson Community Center with adjacent lot, and Springfield City Schools' former district office. The university paid $455,000 for the school district office.
Wittenberg holds about $4 million in real estate in the district and recently purchased three more residential properties: 114-116 and 120 E. Ward St. and 507-509 Woodlawn Ave., for $247,000. The university made a commitment to restore and resurrect its neighborhood when opportunities present themselves, and if the purchase fits the university's strategic plan.
Comments
By michael j hayes
January 24, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
I think the purchase of the Mercy property is an excellent opportunity, provided wittenberg makes the right choices in using the expanded land. First of all, add tasteful, “collegiate gothic residence halls” to the new area, which would elimintate the unsightly Tower and North halls, build a pedestrian walkway to link the new “north campus” to campus central, and build needed parking space for the athletic complex and students.
By paul williams
January 10, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
History repeats itself! Did not the University at one time own all this property? Planning wise, the University should continue to expand to the east, not north.Plus given the phyiscal and political constaints tied to trying to go south or west,if you want to keep it a walkable campus, which is one of its best assets, I would think that there is no other choice. Finally, given the conditions in that area, I would think that there should be some redevelopment monies available to assist.
By you
January 10, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
are they scared to put light in so we can’t see how dirty the hospital readly is…..
By me
January 10, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
what going to happen to all those people in the nursing home .someone need to buy it and tear down the hospital.because how is everbody subpost to get better.how can you get better when you have to breath mold into your lungs.
By Bob11
January 10, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
Great move for the city and the college!
By jamestown grim
January 10, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
I think it will be fantastic if the hospital property is bought by Wittenberg! I was worried about it becoming an eyesore. Out of curiousity, does anyone know what would happen to St. Johns?