Selling Fairview site may take many years
The property is being appraised and
the state will part with it --- eventually.
SALEM
- Fairview Training Center closes this month, but the 275-acre, hillside campus
may not be sold for years. The state eventually plans to sell get Southeast Salem property with views,
buildings, a stream and trees for residential development.
Salem-Keizer School District may buy a piece for a future school, and the city
of Salem will decide how much to buy for parks.
For now, however, the land and buildings are being appraised.
The state may require that LeBreton, Fairview's first building, circa 1908, be a
part of any future project.
A few other buildings are potential candidates, depending on the outcome
of the appraisal, said Bill Nickleberry of the state Department of Administrative
Services.
They
include the Possible Building built in 1986 with and donations, The center's
cafeteria and multipurpose building housing a gymnasium and pool are candidates.
None
of the 61 buildings, totaling more than a half-million square feet, is on a
historic registry.
The buildings include an inner circle of large, two story homes that
look institutional and were built in the 1920's. The administration
building was built in 1957.
Across campus, a mismash of architecture spans the century, from about 14
to 92 years old.
Discussions are
under way among state officials and various advocacy groups about how to
preserve and showcase Fairview's history.
After
the appraisal, the
state will work with city officials to rezone the property for a change in
use. A state-formed committee has been meeting to draft recommendations
for a master plan.
But
even when details I about how to develop the property are decided, millions of
dollars worth of sewer, water and street improvements
are needed. The
area is not on the city's short -term list of projects to fund, meaning a developer
would have to front the costs.
The Salem City Council decides when to extend services to an area.
bottom line?
"It
is . highly likely that this time next year and maybe even a couple years out
that the state will still be owning that property," Nickleberry said.
For
now, he is working on an interim policy to lease some of the buildings.
This
article by Cheryl Martinis was published by the Oregonian, February 20, 2000
.
