College thinks north St. Louis campus would attract students
By Martin Van Der Werf
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/19/2006
Long-neglected north St. Louis is about to get another major public investment.
St. Louis Community College is eyeing a site at Cass Avenue and Francis Street for a $10 million education center. The property is just west of Vashon High School, a $40 million project that opened in 2002.
The college has the money to buy the land. Its board is expected tonight to ask voters to approve a tax increase to pay for construction of the center and a number of other projects throughout the system.
The college has never had a permanent site for classes on the city's north side. It now rents space from the city library at Natural Bridge and Marcus for the William Harrison Northside Education Center, a space with only two classrooms.
Other classes are held at 11 other sites around north St. Louis, says Michael Holmes, the center's manager. The new 31,000-square-foot building would be the site of most classes. To get a degree, however, students would have to attend classes at one of the other campuses.
Chancellor Henry Shannon says it is important to be within eyesight of Vashon students, who often do nor pursue higher education. "We want to plant the seed that we are one of the steps on the path to success."
By Martin Van Der Werf
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/19/2006
Long-neglected north St. Louis is about to get another major public investment.
St. Louis Community College is eyeing a site at Cass Avenue and Francis Street for a $10 million education center. The property is just west of Vashon High School, a $40 million project that opened in 2002.
The college has the money to buy the land. Its board is expected tonight to ask voters to approve a tax increase to pay for construction of the center and a number of other projects throughout the system.
The college has never had a permanent site for classes on the city's north side. It now rents space from the city library at Natural Bridge and Marcus for the William Harrison Northside Education Center, a space with only two classrooms.
Other classes are held at 11 other sites around north St. Louis, says Michael Holmes, the center's manager. The new 31,000-square-foot building would be the site of most classes. To get a degree, however, students would have to attend classes at one of the other campuses.
Chancellor Henry Shannon says it is important to be within eyesight of Vashon students, who often do nor pursue higher education. "We want to plant the seed that we are one of the steps on the path to success."
