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Published: June 12, 2009 3:00 a.m.

Taylor to ask neighbors for ideas

College hopes next owner would have religious goal

Kelly Soderlund
The Journal Gazette
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If you go
What: Forum for Taylor University neighbors to discuss future of the Fort Wayne campus

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 29

Where: Dining commons at Eicher Student Center on campus

At a glance
Ambassador Family Enterprises and Taylor University released a set of criteria for determining the next use of the campus:

•Honoring the heritage and historical significance of the campus, which for more than a century has accommodated schools of Christian higher learning

•Honors the commitment of donors who have paid for the development of the campus

•Serves and addresses the educational needs of the community

•Promises a timely implementation

•Has consistency in programs content with Taylor’s mission – if the university is involved – and be financially self-sustaining

•Advances the kingdom of God

•Doesn’t compromise WBCL Radio Network’s mission and ministry

Neighbors of Taylor University-Fort Wayne will have the chance to weigh in on what happens with the West Rudisill Boulevard campus at the end of the month, officials announced Thursday.

Ambassador Family Enterprises, a local company hired to help determine the best use for the 30-acre, 17-building campus, also released a list of criteria, and any proposal received must measure up to the list.

The measures lean toward maintaining the campus as a religious educational institution, but Matt Lesser, project assistant for Ambassador, said it doesn’t rule out other options.

“The campus is set up very well for educational use, and if that is what presents itself, that will definitely be examined and explored,” Lesser said. “All viable offers would be considered.”

Taylor officials announced in October they would close the Fort Wayne campus May 31 after a poor business model and dwindling enrollment spun millions of dollars in debt.

Taylor officials will make a final decision for the campus this year. They’re open to any option, including selling or leasing the property or a combination, according to Lesser.

“Any viable option is on the table right now, and any offer would be run through the criteria and based on how that meets the criteria, that will determine final use for that facility,” Lesser said.

Public input will be sought during a neighborhood forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 29 in the dining commons at the Eicher Student Center on campus.

“It is encouraging that the neighborhoods are considered to be key stakeholders and that our input is welcome,” Adrienne Maurer, president of the Southwest Area Partnership, said in a prepared statement.

“The Taylor campus is an anchor for the neighborhood; the future of this area is greatly impacted by what happens to this campus.”

Officials will provide the community with updates on the process, listen to its ideas and share updates from the city of Fort Wayne about the development of Rudisill Boulevard. They’ll also share the criteria developed to help determine the best fit for the campus.

Taylor’s radio station, WBCL-FM 90.3, will remain on campus for the time being, but Lesser could not say whether the radio station would move in the future.

To submit ideas, the public is encouraged to e-mail Project Rudisill at rudisill@afefamily.com or call 487-4052.

ksoderlund@jg.net

Source: Ambassador Family Enterprises