Plans to purchase the Christian Village of Abilene building continued to move forward this week.
On Tuesday, the university signed the offer-option agreement with Christian Village, putting the two parties closer to signing the final contract.
Dr. Chris Riley, vice president of student life and former Christian Village board member, said the agreement included some terms, but not all terms needed to finalize the purchase.
“The final contract is almost finished, and we’ll still move forward on the same timeline,” Riley said.
As things continue to move ahead on schedule, remaining residents of Christian Village will have until the end of January 2016 to move out.
Residents expressed mixed feelings about ACU’s acquisition of the property.
William Orr, who has lived at Christian Village for only five months, said he is unhappy about having to move.
“A lot of people moved here with the intention of never leaving until they die,” Orr said. “I think it’s a really inconsiderate move on ACU’s part.”
Orr said he will resettle at Wisteria Place on the south side of town.
Virginia Schmittou and her husband have lived at Christian Village for 15 years. The Schmittous (’59), retired to Abilene because family lived here and they were involved with volunteer work in town.
“We have enjoyed Abilene so much, and we really never had any plans to move,” Schmittou said. “We’re kind of sad. We’re moving the middle of the month to a duplex.”
Also moving to a duplex near the Schmittous is Jana Davis, an assistant professor of library science and a Christian Village resident of nearly six months.
“I’m leaving Saturday, and I hate it. This place is secure, comfortable, the people are great, the administrator is great,” Davis said. “It’s a wonderful place to live. Everybody loves everybody, and I didn’t have time to get to know everyone.”
While residents pack up their belongings, the university will continue to prepare to convert the property into a sophomore-level dorm. The Office of Student Life doesn’t yet know whether the dorm will be co-ed, which will depend on the class of 2019’s retention rate.
“It’s the end of an era,” Riley said.
Davis, who only has a few days left as a Christian Village resident, said she is glad the facility will be used as a dorm, despite all the difficulties moving entails.
“I’m glad ACU bought the property and I’m glad it will be a dorm, but I really didn’t want to move,” Davis said. “I hate to leave such a great place.”
