Webster deal to buy Eden library falls through
By: Jonathan Kleinow
Issue date: 5/5/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Eden Theological Seminary's Luhr Library is off the market to Webster University, according to Eden President David Greenhaw.
Greenhaw sent a letter to Webster President Richard Meyers informing him that Eden officials are no longer interested in selling the library to the university. Webster was negotiating purchasing the building for use as new science labs.
"It's a big deal to sell something like that on our campus," Greenhaw said. "We had a couple back and forths on it and we decided we were way too far apart."
Meyers said he wasn't expecting the negotiations to be cut off.
"Until I received the letter, which basically halted the negotiations, we were exchanging offers and counter-offers," Meyers said. "It's still my feeling that we are open to continue these negotiations, restart them, get involved and go back to the table at any time. It really depends on Eden and where they are."
Greenhaw wouldn't disclose the asking price for the library but said the university's offers weren't anywhere near what Eden wanted.
"We love the relationship with Webster, we love cooperating on many things, but our love of that relationship doesn't compensate for the need we have," Greenhaw said. "We didn't think we were close enough and decided we'd gone about has far as we can go for that."
Eden officials hoped the sale would raise money for the school's endowment. Greenhaw said Eden will look to donors to try and raise the money.
Eden officials aren't interested in selling the library building to anyone besides Webster, Greenhaw said.
Webster will now focus on picking a site on-campus for a new science building, Meyers said. The new building will be a "green" or environmentally-sound building. Green buildings are defined by federal standards to be energy-efficient and include features for water conservation and waste management.
The focus is now on how "green" Webster can afford to make the new science building, Meyers said.
Construction on the new science building, as well as a new academic building for the School of Business and Technology, should start in three to four years if the university raises money quickly enough, Meyers said.
Webster may still lease space in Schultz Hall for temporary dorms if officials decide there is a need, Greenhaw said.
Greenhaw sent a letter to Webster President Richard Meyers informing him that Eden officials are no longer interested in selling the library to the university. Webster was negotiating purchasing the building for use as new science labs.
"It's a big deal to sell something like that on our campus," Greenhaw said. "We had a couple back and forths on it and we decided we were way too far apart."
Meyers said he wasn't expecting the negotiations to be cut off.
"Until I received the letter, which basically halted the negotiations, we were exchanging offers and counter-offers," Meyers said. "It's still my feeling that we are open to continue these negotiations, restart them, get involved and go back to the table at any time. It really depends on Eden and where they are."
Greenhaw wouldn't disclose the asking price for the library but said the university's offers weren't anywhere near what Eden wanted.
"We love the relationship with Webster, we love cooperating on many things, but our love of that relationship doesn't compensate for the need we have," Greenhaw said. "We didn't think we were close enough and decided we'd gone about has far as we can go for that."
Eden officials hoped the sale would raise money for the school's endowment. Greenhaw said Eden will look to donors to try and raise the money.
Eden officials aren't interested in selling the library building to anyone besides Webster, Greenhaw said.
Webster will now focus on picking a site on-campus for a new science building, Meyers said. The new building will be a "green" or environmentally-sound building. Green buildings are defined by federal standards to be energy-efficient and include features for water conservation and waste management.
The focus is now on how "green" Webster can afford to make the new science building, Meyers said.
Construction on the new science building, as well as a new academic building for the School of Business and Technology, should start in three to four years if the university raises money quickly enough, Meyers said.
Webster may still lease space in Schultz Hall for temporary dorms if officials decide there is a need, Greenhaw said.
