HUNTINGTON -- The Marshall University Board of Governors has asked its administrators to gather more information regarding proposals to purchase the University Heights Apartments property.

Two organizations -- Prestera Center mental health services provider and the Cabell County Board of Education -- made formal offers for the property on Friday. Prestera wants to consolidate its facilities in one location, while the school board wants to build a new middle school.

The Board of Governors wants to hear a report at its Sept. 12 meeting, according to MU spokesperson Bill Bissett.

"It's not as simple as a matter of price," Bissett said. "Is price a factor? Yes. But we also have to look at what is in the best interest of the university and the state."

The land that has become prime real estate in the past 10 days is about 13 acres on a hill behind the State Police barracks and Prestera Center's main location along U.S. Rt. 60. It currently has five buildings, three of which house non-traditional Marshall students. One of the buildings is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The land was appraised last year at $1.7 million, and a second appraisal is currently being done. The asking price reportedly will be the average of the two appraisals.

Bissett said the Board of Governors's decision won't be solely based upon who will pay more. But the university can't ignore where the two organizations are getting their money. Cabell County Schools, which voted Friday afternoon to offer $1.8 million, has cash on hand, while Prestera Center is relying on a grant and loan that hasn't been approved yet.

"Prestera's proposal of a consolidated campus is an honorable one," Cabell County Schools Superintendent William Smith said. "(But) they are not in a position to make a cash offer like (the Board of Education) is able to."

Executive Director Bob Hansen said the application to Cincinnati Federal Home Loan Bank is for a total of more than $4.2 million, with some coming as a low-interest loan. That total includes about $2.5 million for renovations and remodeling, with the remaining $1.7 million for land acquisition. Hansen said he expects an answer on the grant and loan in November but added that Prestera Center will seek alternate funding sources just in case the application falls through.

Hansen said acquiring the property would consolidate a number of services to one campus and will do just as much for the community as a middle school would, citing the increased need for mental health and addiction services.

"It's very important to understand the demand for our services exceeds what we can provide," Hansen said. "Our funding stays the same. If we don't consolidate, we'll have to begin to look at cuts."

He said the property would house the crisis services, detoxification program, residential treatment and the Renaissance program. He also said Prestera also would renovate the former West Virginia Colored Children's Home into expanded living spaces that would house patients for six months to two years.

"We have a problem in our community and in our state," Hansen said. "This gives us an opportunity to be part of the solution."

The school board would like to build a consolidated middle school for Enslow and Beverly Hills on the property. Smith and school board members Suzanne Oxley both spoke at a public hearing held at the Alumni Lounge in the Memorial Student Center Friday morning, telling the more than 40 in attendance that they are out of options for a site to build a new middle school.

"After four years and an exhaustive search, this is the only land available," Oxley said. "I know there are a lot of competing interests, but I think this is our best shot at building a state-of-the-art, 21st-century middle school."

But Prestera Center had a lot of supporters, including many current and former clients, who say the services they've received can't be constrained by dollar signs.

Recovering addict and Prestera employee Gordon Estes said he's gotten his life back thanks to Prestera, and many more could be saved by bringing all the services to one central location.

"They bring in people who have destroyed their lives and give them a chance at life again," Estes said. "I would like to support Prestera in every way to provide services that are desperately needed. It will help more people like myself stay clean and sober."

Others said the current housing units Prestera provides throughout Huntington are in bad locations or badly in need of repairs.

"How can anybody try to recover and live a nice life in these conditions?" said Linsey Rogers, a recovering addict and alcoholic.

River Park Hospital chief financial officer Patrick Burrows said his facility houses a lot of people who can't beat addiction. He said if Prestera Center gets the property, it's services will only get better, which will affect River Park Hospital and the community in a positive way.

"I'm a parent of two Cabell County students, and I'd love for them to go to the best school," Burrows said. "But Prestera needs this."

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