CRCDS is selling its historic site on South Goodman Street across from Highland Park.  In an open  letter from CRCDS’s president, the Rev. Marvin McMickle, to alumni and friends, he says that the school has had to address some tough financial decisions. And the question of whether to sell the campus with its picturesque rolling hillside is not new. The school has an offer, he says, and he encouraged the board to take it, and the members agreed.Â
“Over the years, we have received numerous offers to purchase the current campus, but none of these offers made sense, then or now,” he writes. “None of them provided us with the financial resources necessary to establish ourselves in a new location where we could provide a 21st century model of theological education and thus, none of them served the interests of our students or the mission. That, however, has now changed. I am pleased to announce that we have received an offer that will, in fact, provide us with the resources necessary to establish CRCDS in a new location.”
The buyer and the terms are not disclosed in the letter, and the school has until 2018 to find a suitable site for its new campus.Â
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This article appears in May 11-17, 2016.
The fact that a real estate developer is purchasing the property is disturbing. I really hope that there are protections in place to save the buildings on the campus. Turning them into condos while maintaining the overall campus with no additions is one thing. Removing buildings or adding condos like what exists along Highland, in front of the campus, would be a regrettable mistake. The City and neighbors really need to be careful on this one. I certainly hope Colgate also watches out for its neighbors for the last 90 years and also dictates future use. This is a scenic property, adjacent to a scenic park. The campus must remain unchanged.
So Brian, why don’t you up the bid for the property and you can do what you want with it?
That’s right Johnny If you can’t buy it, you shouldn’t be heard.