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Neighbors of Taylor University-Fort Wayne would like to see the now-closed campus continue as an educational institution, a refugee center or a place for senior citizens.
A lot of ideas for what to do with the former Christian college on West Rudisill Boulevard were presented during a neighborhood forum Monday night at Taylor. But no viable offer has been presented to Taylor officials, and many of the ideas would have to be backed up financially by the agencies involved, said Garrett Cooper, executive with Ambassador Family Enterprises, the firm Taylor hired to figure out the next use of the campus.
“We’re looking for input. We’re looking for ideas,” Cooper told the crowd. He said at the beginning of the meeting that the campus “could be and very likely will be” used to house a college but that no decisions had been made.
Taylor officials announced in October they would close the Fort Wayne campus May 31 after a poor business model and dwindling enrollment had spun the school into millions of dollars in debt. Taylor officials will make a decision for the campus within the next year and have said they’re open to any option, including selling or leasing the property or a combination.
About 150 people who live in the dozen neighborhoods surrounding the campus attended the event and worked in small groups to come up with ideas. They then presented their ideas to the entire room and submitted their work to Ambassador officials for their consideration.
People suggested using the 17-building, 30-acre campus as an annex campus for Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech Community College or the University of Saint Francis. Other ideas included a medical clinic for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis or Indiana University; housing for senior citizens; a place for refugees to stay while they are assimilating in Fort Wayne; a technology center for computer science training; a dog park; playground; keeping the fitness center open and charging membership; among many others.
“We definitely wanted something educational, not commercial,” said Danielle Kiefer, resident in the West Rudisill neighborhood.
DeShawn Moore, who lives in Lofton Woods, said the people at her table want to keep the campus as a Bible college or turn it into a place that reaches out to the urban community.
“We kept in mind the rich history of Taylor and what they have already begun,” Moore said.
Cooper said there has been interest from several non-profit groups but none has submitted an offer, and he would not specify who. Cooper did not rule out soliciting proposals from agencies or colleges mentioned.
The plan is to publish the ideas on the city of Fort Wayne’s Web site and come up with a recommendation to take to the Taylor board by January, Cooper said. Taylor University could remain a partner in the next use of the campus but would likely not be in a leadership position, he said.
