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College nearly a go
Published Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Sixty days: That’s the remaining time developers say they need to finalize plans for an international business college at the Regional Treatment Center.
Those developers, members of Campus Development Group, attended a City Council work session Tuesday, where Councilman Rick Wilson echoed perhaps the biggest question among his co-horts.
“We need to know, from the council’s standpoint, when will the CDG be taking the campus over?” he said, wondering whether the project would be finalized before the end of December.
“It’s going to happen before that,” said Richard Anderson, president of CDG. “I anticipate we’re going to have very strong answers in 60 days...I think we’re literally looking at the end stretch here.”
In fact, developers said the project’s progress has come a long way in a short time. Talk of re-developing the RTC into an educational facility began only in spring 2007, and the months since then have included multiple trips by members of CDG to China, as well as a visit to Fergus Falls from Chinese officials.
The proposed college at the RTC would be an international business school for students from both China and the American Midwest. North Dakota State University, Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead are among the American schools CDG has consulted about the project, with NDSU helping to design the college’s curriculum.
The curriculum is one component of the project that is still in the works, planners said, as is the choice of an architectural firm.
And as for the Chinese? They’re ready to go.
“They’re waiting for us,” Anderson said. “We’re not waiting for them.”
CDG, a private group, has not paid its partners for their work so far, said Mike Allmendinger, project manager for the Fargo-based Kilbourne Group, a CDG partner. All together, CDG partners have invested over $150,000 in the project so far, Allmendinger said.
If the college should materialize as hoped, local taxpayers wouldn’t have to cover the cost. CDG would need the help of the city for platting, zoning and utilities work, but dollars for those projects are already available from the state.
“It isn’t going to cost the city, we feel, anything, but we do need their support,” said Jeff Schlossman, a member of CDG.
“We would like things to come together faster,” he said, but the project is still ahead of where planners initially thought it would be. “I’m really excited about the way things are going and I believe we can get things done.”
Anderson said he plans to return to China this month.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by votedem (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by cheif (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why? That comment was unnecessary and just stupid, votedem. I hope you fall flat on your face for saying that.
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:45 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to me it sounds like there is no formal agreement here and that the cdg is telling the city council what they want to hear.
Posted by fisher (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Enough with the personal attacks, I thought this wasn't allowed on this site.
Posted by werty (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why all the bash on Rick Anderson? He's trying to facilitate good things for this city. I hope he does and gets rewarded for his efforts...financially or otherwise. Envy seems to be apparent by others.
Posted by notcominghome (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 1:32 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well at least we know the Chinese are ready to buy the RTC and can't wait to hand over the money.
I still question who was opposed to the movie being filmed?
so just after the upcoming election the CDG should have have answers?
Jamie Cooper
Posted by drknow (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is important for the city to have a signed contract with the developers ASAP. Doesn't the city hav until January 1 2009 to do something or lose the funding to demolish the building? I can just see the city dragging its'feet and we are left footing the bill.
Posted by ottergrad (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jamie, for a guy who has plenty of time on your hands to get things right. You have once again demonstrated that you are not qualified to represent anybody. It was clearly stated at the council meeting last evening that a university or universities will be part of the investment group to do the remodeling. Why not refer to them as a university and your prejudice won't show through.
It seem pretty wise to have a university to have some investment which will help insure that it is successful and grows. They would want to protect their investment and the local universities feel more comfortable knowing their academic partner has a vested interest.
The residents of Fergus Falls should feel comfortable knowing that they are dealing with several large universities with over 50,000 students not individual investors. If you could leave your video games on the computer long enough to attend the city council work session you may have learned something. The development group answered every question from the council and even asked the interested residents if they had any questions. They met with everybody after the meeting to see if they answered all the questions and I even saw Anderson go over and ask Mr. Palmer if his question was answered during the meeting. There was a lot of folks who stuck around and asked a variety of questions that they did not feel comfortable asking during the meeting and they answered all of my questions which I appreciated.
I just want to say it was very interesting presentation and I learned about things they are doing that benefits the Community College Nursing program. They have clearly taking a step by step approach to make sure this works and benefits the MSCT and Fergus Falls.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ottergrad, perhaps you should watch the video tape of the session.
perhaps the CDG and Mr. Anderson need to stop referring to the "Chinese" ass the "Chinese", if that is what you consider racism.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Would the Chinese own the RTC?
Would they lease? Rent?
How would they stay warm, was not the heat system removed?
Will the whole thing fail at the last minute, then get torn down? Is the city trying to save it? Or trying to find a way to lose it?
Posted by MustBeNice (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mel - I believe one of the incinerators at the RTC campus is still running just enough to supply the heat the RTC requires.
Questions....
Does the "New College" utilize existing structures and their renovation, or will they be building new buildings on the grounds?
As Mel asked, Would the Chinese own the RTC? Would they lease? Rent?
And to think it was all purchased for only a dollar!!
Keep the Kirk-bride & the gym buildings.... demo the rest!!
Posted by Lifehacker (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MustBeNice - From what I understand there is no heat source at the RTC currently. The state has asked the City to assist them in finding a temporary heat source until they are able to move into their CD facility that is being constructed.
Based on the presentation that was given by the CDG, I would assume that the Chinese universities would be leasing the RTC. The CDG referred to the universities as tenants.
Posted by igotclassof68 (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey VOTEDEM, what have you done for the city lately? Did you work your A$$ off to convince a fortune 500 company to come to Fergus as Rick Anderson did last year? Are you working your A$$ off to save a hundred year old building and bring thousands of people and millions of dollars to fergus, NO I DONT FRICKEN THINK SO? get a clue, get a life, and get of this board
Posted by drknow (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not think it would be in the city's best interest to become a landlord of the State Hospital grounds. That could lead to being stuck with the site and having to pay for at least the abatement without the state funding.
In regards to a fortune 500 company, weren't they supposed to have 50 to 60 jobs paying at least 40,000.00 a year? Didn't the FFCC enhance its' courses in IT to train people to take these jobs. Wasn't there an issue last spring when these students graduated and those jobs weren't there? I do not want to stake the money that was is involved if the CDG deal doesn't pan out on that kind of track record.
Do not get me wrong, I think Fergus is in dire need of progress but the time is getting short on a deal of this size. The city attorneys are going to need considerable time to review any and all contracts and with only 3+ months left before they have to commit to demo or lose funding. Time is very short and there seems to be considerable smoke and mirrors still going on.
Posted by igotclassof68 (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
get your facts straight, the city wouldnt be the landlord, as for the ACS deal, remember the economy took a bit of a sh*t since they opened, these things take time to build. you must not be in business. BTW what have you done lately???
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