After a two-hour public comment session, Madison College’s governing board gave initial approval to move forward with plans to relocate its downtown campus to south Madison, a historically underserved area of the city.
The downtown campus on North Carroll St. would remain open at least through the 2017–2018 school year while a permanent site would be sought in an area roughly bordered by the Beltline, Fish Hatchery Road, and John Nolen Drive.
The college would enter into a 50-year ground lease of the downtown block, which would allow a developer to either completely renovate the existing structure or demolish and redevelop the entire block. Reportedly, that arrangement could generate revenues of between $500,000 and $900,000 a year to Madison College.
Meanwhile, the lease at Madison College’s current south side location in the Village on Park shopping center would be extended while a new site is secured.
