The Virginia Baptists may sell the Baptist Student Center on the corner of Jefferson Park Avenue and Brandon Avenue.
The property study committee of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board recommended Wednesday that the group sell the University property as well as a center at the Virginia Commonwealth University, Board treasurer Eddie Stratton said.
The University's center houses the Baptist Student Union, which emphasized that the Board's decision does not automatically translate into the sale of the property.
"The Virginia Baptist Mission Board allowed the building to be sold at yesterday's meeting," Baptist Campus Minister Michelle Meyers said. "This does not necessarily mean that it will be sold."
She said the property has been appraised at just over $1 million.
Although there have not yet been any purchasing offers for the facility, the University has expressed interest in the property in the past, Meyers said. Several University officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.
According to Stratton, the main force behind the approval of the two sales is maintenance and upkeep costs -- the buildings are more than 50 years old and are beginning to fall into disrepair.
"The major question is whether we want to invest in the long-term possibility of the building or sell the property and try to find facilities on campus," he said.
Meyers said there are not funds available for repairs that would make the building adequate for ministry.
"The decision was influenced by a number of financial factors, especially when you look at the fact that our funds come from church collections," Stratton said.
Stratton added the Virginia Baptist Mission Board will be forming an executive committee to discuss how the sales of the properties will proceed.
The Virginia Baptists have only nine campus facilities but over 100 Baptist Student Unions at colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth. Most of the unions use facilities on campus. Before selling the center, the BSU would like to make an arrangement with the University to use facilities on campus, according to Stratton.
Meyers said even if the Baptist Student Center were sold, it would not be the end of the BSU.
"The sale of the center would certainly change the way we function, but we would continue to be a presence here at U.Va.," Meyers said.
Stratton agreed that sale of the center would move the BSU in a new direction.
"There would be less spent on property upkeep and more money for programs," Stratton said.
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