A nonprofit with a contract to buy and restore the historic and city-owned Compton-Bateman House in Roanoke is expediting its plans because Congress may abolish the federal historic tax credit needed to make the project work.
Isabel Thornton, executive director of Restoration Housing, appeared before the Roanoke Planning Commission on Monday seeking a recommendation to city council that the house and 3.4 acres surrounding it be removed from public park use — a necessary step before the organization will buy the land. The house is on land that’s part of the city’s Villa Heights Park.
The commission recommended approval of the measure on a 6-0 vote with one member absent, and the Roanoke City Council will take it up next week. That vote will clear the way for Thornton to close the sale before the end of the year — seven months ahead of when she initially planned to.
