University of Virginia Library

Rotunda Replaces Green Springs
As Future Location Of State Prison

By MARY BETTS

Construction will begin
immediately to renovate the
Rotunda into a state penal
facility, according to orders
released by Gov. Linwood A.
Holton yesterday.

In announcing what he
called a "workable alternative"
to his controversial plans to
construct a state prison in the
historic Green Springs area of
Louisa County, Mr. Holton

said that the Rotunda provided
an "innovative and ideal
solution."

'Never Center'

According to Mr. Holton's
decree, the Rotunda will act as
a "nerve center," with living
facilities extending in several
directions away from it.

"Of course, this will
necessitate building North
Lawn and South Lawn, but we
think it is for the benefit of the
University community, and
that Mr. Jefferson would have
approved," a governor's office
spokesman stated.

Housing Director Ralph E.
Main commended the prison
plan as an excellent solution to
the demand for Lawn rooms.
"We just won't have any space
now," he grinned.

Mr. Holton added that he
believed that the project would
fit into Mr. Jefferson's concept
of the University since it will
broaden students' educations
as well as provide immediate
rehabilitative facilities for
inmates to further their
education. The Admissions
Office has assured the state
that the University will admit a
standard quota of inmates in
each first-year class.

Bulletproof Balconies

The Rotunda itself will be
renovated to accommodate
maximum security and solitary
confinement cells on three
circular floors to be
constructed with balconies
beneath the Rotunda's dome.

Bulletproof glass will
enclose each balcony, and