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NEWS
Meetings will focus on MU property
HUNTINGTON -- Two meetings are on tap today concerning what has become prime real estate in Cabell County.
Marshall University's University Heights Apartments, located on U.S. 60 behind the State Police barracks, is being sought by both Prestera Center for Mental Health Services and the Cabell County Board of Education. Prestera Center already has submitted a proposal, and its representatives will discuss their intentions for the property at a 10 a.m. meeting today in the Alumni Lounge of the Memorial Student Center on Marshall's campus.
Prestera Center's executive director Bob Hansen said no formal offer has been made, but a Prestera board meeting was planned for Thursday, at which time an amount could be discussed.
Hansen said they will lay out their plan for the site, which includes renovating and upgrading the current buildings, not tearing down any of them. But Prestera Center's money hinges on a grant that hasn't been awarded yet.
"We don't have the money, but we are in the process of finishing a large grant application," Hansen said, adding that a decision on the grant likely would come in November.
Hansen said Prestera Center officials have been working directly with Marshall University for the past couple of months in an effort to put a deal together.
Members of the school board and administration will be on hand as well, as they gather information that will help them decide their next course of action at a 1:30 afternoon meeting. On Tuesday night, the board voted unanimously that it would like to build its new middle school for Enslow and Beverly Hills on the University Heights property. A letter of intent was being drafted to inform Marshall officials of the school board's serious interest.
The school board has money available under a number of different funds that could be used to purchase the property without the assistance of a grant. Communications Director Jedd Flowers said money has been put aside on a regular basis for land acquisition costs.
