INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State University now has room to grow. The Department of Administration this week deeded over the old West Virginia Rehab Center property to the school. Officials are excited about the possibilities.
“We’re really bound on three sides, one side by the interstate, one side by the river, and one side by housing,” said university spokesman Jack Bailey. “This really represents a way for us to grow into the future.”
Bailey said planning for the new property is already underway. The first order of business will to evaluate the existing buildings on the property. Inspectors will see what improvements will be necessary to get them into service. The first building will be the old administration building.
“It contained administrative offices, conference rooms, and things like that,” Bailey said. “That seems to be the one we’ll be able to press back into service most quickly.”
The property includes the buildings and 20 acres of prime property. WVSU is already in the midst of a capital improvement campaign. Work continues on the convocation center and athletic complex plus a new residence hall is being planned for the future. Bailey said the new buildings will add into the plans going forward.