Norfolk State University Plans to Demolish Historic Building

Strategic Insights -

A former hospital building in Norfolk, built in 1915 as the city's first black-owned and -operated hospital, is likely to be torn down, said Alvin J. Schexnider, interim president of Norfolk State University. The university plans to request $25 million from the General Assembly to replace the building with a new facility housing student services. Several independent assessments have determined that renovating the building would be too expensive. The university has owned the building since 2004 and had initially planned to use it for offices and labs, as well as student housing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Norfolk State University plans to demolish the historic former Norfolk Community Hospital building, which opened in 1915.
  • The building is valued at $2.2 million, which NSU purchased from the city in 2004.
  • The university plans to request $25 million from the General Assembly to replace the building with a new facility.
  • The new facility will house NSU's admissions, financial aid, academic advising, and other departments.
  • Several independent assessments have concluded that renovating the building would be too expensive.
  • The university initially planned to use the building for offices, labs, and student housing.

The proposed demolition has raised concerns among local preservationists, who may ask the university to reconsider.

  • Mark Perreault, president of the Norfolk Preservation Alliance, expressed uncertainty about whether his group would ask NSU to reconsider demolishing the building.
  • Perreault noted that the building is "a handsome building," but his group had not been closely following the issue.

Statistics:

  • The former Norfolk Community Hospital building was built in 1915.
  • The building has been owned by Norfolk State University since 2004.
  • The building is valued at $2.2 million.
  • The university plans to request $25 million from the General Assembly to replace the building with a new facility.
  • The building will house NSU's admissions, financial aid, academic advising, and other departments.

Sources:

  • Byline: HARRY MINIUM NORFOLK -- BY Harry Minium THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT NORFOLK
  • Alvin J. Schexnider, interim president of Norfolk State University
  • Norfolk Preservation Alliance
  • Norfolk City Council
  • Norfolk State University