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Morgantown

West Virginia University Acquires Former Sorority House

The university finalized its purchase of the 1493 University Avenue property following the denial of a recovery center project.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Substance Abuse

A classic three-story brick university building with a white porch sits on a sloped hillside surrounded by autumn foliage.
West Virginia University acquired the property at 1493 University Avenue on October 5, 2026, after local zoning appeals blocked a recovery housing project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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West Virginia University finalized the purchase of a former sorority house at 1493 University Avenue on October 5, 2026. This acquisition follows the collapse of a bid to convert the 11,492-square-foot property into a recovery housing facility.

Why it matters

The project failed after the Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals rejected a conditional use request for the halfway house. West Virginia University and St. John University Parish had formally opposed the recovery facility proposal, leading to the withdrawal of necessary grant funding.

The proposed recovery facility was designed for 30 residents, whereas the Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network currently manages 25 beds across its existing sites. The organization reports a current waiting list of nearly 100 people.

The players

West Virginia University

A public land-grant research university based in Morgantown that is the largest higher education institution in the state.

Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network

A nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for individuals in recovery from substance abuse disorders.

Morgantown Board of Zoning Appeals

The local regulatory body responsible for reviewing and granting or denying requests for conditional land use within city limits.

St. John University Parish

A religious institution in Morgantown that provides spiritual services and community support to the university population.

The details

Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network lost its contract on the property after its reasonable accommodation process was denied. West Virginia University secured the site after the seller accepted a backup offer.

Timeline

  1. Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network was founded in 2021.

  2. The BZA held a public meeting regarding the property in July 2026.

  3. West Virginia University finalized the property purchase on October 5, 2026.

Health Landscape

The failure of the reasonable accommodation request for this facility marks a departure from how such recovery housing projects often secure zoning permits in residential areas. This outcome highlights the ongoing tension between institutional expansion and the integration of community-based recovery services.

Individuals seeking residential support from the Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network will continue to face wait times as the nonprofit manages a list of nearly 100 applicants. The denial of this project limits the availability of recovery beds in the immediate Morgantown area.

The takeaway

Zoning decisions for recovery housing involve complex legal and community considerations that can effectively halt facility expansion projects. Navigating these municipal board requirements remains a critical hurdle for nonprofits aiming to scale residential treatment capacity.

Further reading

For more information on regional recovery resources, visit the Substance Abuse section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dominion Post.

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Should your local government prioritize community resident concerns over new recovery housing facility expansion projects?