If the FAMU administration acts quickly, it could cut tens of millions from the anticipated start-up costs of the proposed College of Dental Medicine.Numerous state departments are moving out of their old downtown buildings and relocating to newly constructed office complexes in south Tallahassee. State agencies, such as public universities, get the first opportunity to lease or buy any state-owned building that becomes vacant.
State Sen. Al Lawson recently told The FAMUan that FAMU could place its dental school in one of those unused, or soon to be unused, state properties. By opting to lease and renovate an existing building, FAMU would not have to spend tens of millions to purchase new land or build a new facility from scratch.
Florida State University moved quickly to place bids for four state buildings that became available last year: Firestone, Warren, Winchester, and the Bloxham Annex. FAMU chose not to compete for those facilities.
A fifth property, the big Bloxham building (see picture below), is still available for the time being since FSU did not bid on in it. The Leon County School Board has expressed interest in Bloxham for years, but hasn’t had enough money to buy or lease it. The school board actually had to close a middle school, Belle Vue, due to recent budget constraints.
Another more modern facility, the Doyle Carlton building (see picture above), will soon become vacant as the Department of Revenue completes its relocation to the Capital Circle Office Center in Southwood. While a 2008 Department of Management Services study recommended that the state keep Carlton, the Florida government could still be open to leasing it if FAMU asks.
In addition to housing a dental school, vacant state buildings could also be renovated into apartments for dental and pre-dentistry students.
Excellent Article Rattler Nation. FAMU should be buying these buildings because they are close to the state Capital and Legislature.They're excellent locations to show the FAMU name as you enter Tallahassee from Highway 27.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I gotta call Al 'bout this one.
ReplyDeleteHousing for All. Let's Go FAMU!
ReplyDeleteDidn't you share with me that we already had a building downtown (that needed a LOT of renovations), but parking would be a problem? And, that FSU was scooping up a some of the prime "soon-to-be abandoned" buildings?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great idea. However, do we have the funds to enter into such a lease, or even consider purchasing such property right now.
ReplyDeleteLeasing these buildings would be an investment. If FAMU nabs some of these downtown state buildings, it won't have to rely so heavily on the shrinking poll of PECO dollars to pay for new classroom construction.
ReplyDeleteFAMU actually has a chance to expand into nice buildings while other universities are getting ready to purchase more mobile trailer classrooms.