By Lindsay Haislip
News Editor
Washington College is expanding its boundaries. The Kent County Commissioners have accepted WC’s bid for the purchase of the old Board of Education Building at 215 Washington Avenue.
In his bid to the Commissioners, President Mitchell Reiss discussed a growing student body reaching “1500 as early as next fall.” Looking into the next decade, there is a potential for growing student enrollment to 1,800. This also means a necessity for more faculty and staff members.
This anticipation of future growth means the need for more space for the college to continue to operate optimally.
“As we anticipate this larger enrollment and workforce,” said Reiss, “we are exploring options to provide the necessary offices, classrooms, and residence hall space. While there are many options available, we believe the acquisition of the Kent County Board of Education property could be an important component to this strategy by providing space for new classrooms and faculty and administrative offices,” he said.
The Commissioners unanimously chose Option I of the bid package presented by the College, which states that WC would pay $1,850,000 for the property with $850,000 of that in cash over a four year period; $250,000 in year one
and $200,000 each year for the next three years.
The bid also includes $1 million in “Commissioners’ Scholarships.”
Each $12,500 scholarship would be awarded to graduates of Kent County High School attending WC over the next ten years.
The bid has been accepted, however the purchase is dependent upon several conditions. First of all, the property must be successfully rezoned as “Institutional”.
Also, the College must be granted the approval from The Chestertown Historic District Commission, The Chestertown Planning Commission, and the Chestertown Appeals Board to demolish the existing building (with the exception of the west façade of the original structure).
WC is looking to construct a replacement building within the next five years. The field behind the building would be left as open space and used as an additional sports field. WC plans to allow community members “access to the open space fronting Campus Avenue and Philosopher’s Terrace at times when the College is not utilizing the field for College purposes,” according to the bid.
Through the purchase of 215 Washington Ave, WC is able to achieve desired growth and expansion.
In addition, Reiss said that the College also will be “renewing a partnership and fostering strong collaboration in the education of our country’s, state’s, and nation’s future leaders while fostering smart growth and economic development or Chestertown and Kent County.”
March 4, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 17