Assessment Finds Virginia Intermont Campus Ripe for Revitalization

Report Demonstrates the Community-Wide Benefit of Adaptive Reuse and Preservation

BRISTOL, Va. -- A newly released report reveals that most remaining buildings on the historic campus of the former Virginia Intermont College are in good enough condition for renovation and reuse for such purposes as housing, new businesses and the arts.

In addition, the report estimated that Bristol could gain some $40 million in historic tax credits by preserving the buildings for reuse compared to roughly $5 million in other tax incentives associated with new construction at the site.

The assessment, which was prepared by Whitney Manahan, Registered Architect and historic adaptive re-development consultant, highlights the historic significance of the buildings while stressing the urgent need to prioritize preservation over demolition.

The findings were prepared with support from Beyond Housing, the housing redevelopment authority in Bristol, which is directing a neighborhood revitalization program called Choice Neighborhoods, which encompasses the VI campus.

The assessment highlights the campus's enduring significance as a landmark for women's education and underscores its value as a rare example of Women's Heritage in the region. The findings stress the urgent need to prioritize preservation as a path to economic revitalization, faster redevelopment, and reinforced cultural identity for Bristol. 

According to the report, adapting existing structures can accelerate the redevelopment timeline while saving on costs compared to demolition and new construction. Preserving the properties also enables access to powerful state and federal historic tax credits, environmental benefits, and incentive programs tailored to heritage properties. 

The Virginia Intermont Campus, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands as a vital part of Bristol's legacy and offers a unique opportunity for sustainable and historically respectful community renewal, according to Lisa Porter, executive director and chief executive officer for Beyond Bristol

"Adjacent to the Virginia Hill Historic District, the campus' buildings could be returned to serving the city with tax revenues, with great potential for extraordinary park-like spaces, arts venues such as the Worrell Recital Hall, Harrison-Jones Performance Hall," Porter said.

According to the report, many of the structures are suitable for both market-rate and workforce housing opportunities in SouthWest Virginia, where recent studies have identified the need for more than 5,000 homes to house our teachers, nurses, first-responders and service industry employees.

The report encourages collaboration between the City of Bristol, VA and current property owners, to develop a master plan with strong community involvement to ensure the campus's redevelopment benefits both nearby neighborhoods and the city as a whole. An essential next step is submitting formal documentation to the DHR, Virginia's State Historic Preservation Office, to evaluate the existing historic district and expand it to include all significant campus buildings, thereby increasing eligibility for financial and planning incentives. 

The report emphasizes the immense environmental benefits of adaptive reuse, citing that the energy lost by demolishing an existing building would take around 65 years to recover, even with a new green structure ("Sustainable Stewardship," Traditional Building, June 2008). Preservation not only prevents tons of waste from entering landfills, but also maintains uniquely crafted, irreplaceable historical architecture. 

About Beyond Housing, The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol, VA Founded in 1938, Beyond Housing, The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol, VA is the second oldest housing authority in the Commonwealth, providing housing services and holistic support to residents in the unique twin cities of Bristol, VA and Bristol, TN.

 

Click here to view the report --> Economic Opportunities for Virginia Hill White Paper

 

For more information, please contact:

Mike McGirr, Special Projects, Beyond Housing
864.420.9758
mmcgirr@beyondhsg.com