Jefferson Center Mental Health history

Edison Building (acquired 1973)

From then until its final closing in 1979 it housed a variety of offices.

The late 1980’s experienced continued improvement including: The Toledo Trust operations building, now The Source at Monroe and 14th, SSOE, Brooks Insurance and the Lucas County Juvenile Detention facility.

The Jefferson Avenue Center is one of the earliest multiple tenant nonprofit centers in the country, and in 1983 was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1985, Roanoke City Council appointed a citizen’s committee, mostly of Jefferson High graduates, to determine the future of the iconic building.

In 1989 the Jefferson Center Foundation was established led by the late Judge Beverly T. Fitzpatrick Sr. and so the fund raising efforts began.

Remodeling began in 1994 when the high ceiling that accommodated the hydraulic lifts in the repair shop was lowered by 10 or so feet and chandelier lighting was installed.

In 1995, at a cost of $630,000 Fitzpatrick Hall, named in honor of Judge Fitzpatrick, opened for community events, weddings, receptions, meetings and conferences.

The auditorium sat dark until 1997 when the Board of Directors launched another campaign to renovate the space.

925 Chestnut (formerly Federal Reserve Bank, acquired 1999)

Hospital for the Neurosciences (formerly Wills Eye Hospital, acquired 2001)

Jefferson Center Foundation was presented the 2002 AIA Award for Preservation of Shaftman Performance Hall, the highest award presented by the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects.

In 2005, Toledo City Council adopted the UpTown Association’s proposal to create an Arts and Entertainment Village overlay for the UpTown district.