Elon University has completed the acquisition of about 75 acres of land from Elon Homes for Children, a residential treatment facility located south of the university campus in the Town of Elon.
The property includes the portion of the Elon Homes campus east of S. Antioch Avenue, including several buildings. The area west of S. Antioch Avenue, including the Barringer Center building and gymnasium will remain the property of Elon Homes for Children.
“We believe this purchase will be of great benefit to the community and to Elon Homes, which has been a close neighbor for more than 100 years,” said Leo M. Lambert, Elon University president. “These two institutions have a long tradition of supporting each other and working with common interest.”
Elon Homes for Children President Fred Grosse says the proceeds from the sale will be used to finance construction of a 32-bed residential treatment unit. Construction will start immediately and will be completed by December. The Barringer Center building is being transformed into administration offices and the new home for the Lakeside Charter Public High School, which serves about 74 students. The Barringer renovation will be completed in August.
“Elon Homes for Children is adjusting its mission to focus on the needs of 12- to 18-year-old at risk children,” Grosse says. “The new focus requires different facilities and an upgrade in programs. By selling this land, we will gain the resources we need to better serve these young people, giving them more security and a better place to live.”
Lambert said the opportunity to purchase large tracts of land adjacent to the university campus occurs very infrequently. “This is a historic opportunity. Our board of trustees believes it is wise to think about the long-range needs of the university and influence how land surrounding the campus is developed,” Lambert said.
Elon University will lease the property back to Elon Homes for up to 15 months while the new residential treatment unit is being constructed. Long-range plans are for the university to use the property for recreation fields.