LAKEPORT, Calif. – The effort to create a college campus at the Lucerne Hotel took another significant step forward on Tuesday.
In a unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding with Southern California-based Marymount College to use the 1920s-era building on seven acres – known as “The Castle” – as a satellite campus.
The Marymount College Board of Trustees is set to consider the agreement at a meeting this Saturday, June 9.
Also still to be completed are negotiations to finalize the particulars of a lease agreement for the building, which would include a 15-year term and the option – which the county is encouraging – for the college to buy the building outright.
Board Chair Rob Brown and Supervisor Denise Rushing met with Marymount College officials in Rancho Palos Verdes on Monday.
“This has been an exciting process,” Brown said at the Tuesday board meeting.
He said he was even more excited after meeting with the college's representatives Monday. Not only are they excited about the prospects of a Lake County campus, but he said they already feel like they're part of the community, and have established strong relationships with county officials as well as tribal representatives, Greg Giusti of the University California Cooperative Extension and Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook.
Brown said the college has done its homework on Lake County.
“I can't wait to get them up here,” he said. “They're going to be great for our community.”
Rushing said Marymount officials called County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox – who has been instrumental in the effort to save the hotel and find a new and important use for it – the “hero of the hour.”
The college is starting from a place of partnership, said Rushing. Marymount officials made it clear that they're going to offer courses to meet the community's unique needs, and will work with the local business and educational communities in crafting degree and non-degree programs.
Tuition will be comparable to that paid at a state university, which will allow financial aid to cover the costs, she said.
“This is truly a gift to the county and a real asset,” she said.
Rushing, who attended an informal college board of trustees meeting Monday, said the college board was interested in how financially sound the county was – Lake County has managed to remain in the black despite the hard financial times – and had main interests regarding internship placement, research possibilities and service.
“It's really a match,” said Rushing, who noted the college has shown its ability to create a community partnership with its San Pedro campus.
Within 90 days of the memorandum of understanding's approval, Rushing said the college and the county anticipate having the lease fully negotiated.
'An incredible team effort'
Cox said it has been a rewarding experience working with, and getting to know, the Marymount College representatives over the last eight months.
“We strongly believe this is the right college for Lake County,” he said.
Cox called the college's president Dr. Michael Brophy a “visionary leader” who he believes will be an outstanding and trusted partner with the county.
Cox also thanked members of his staff – Eric Seely, Debra Sommerfield and Alan Flora – for their work in the negotiations and participating in “an incredible team effort.”
He recognized Holbrook's efforts and the overwhelming community support for the project.
“There an excitement and enthusiasm about the very real possibility of bringing a four year college to the county and preserving the Castle,” which he said is unlike any building in Lake County – or, for that matter, Northern California.
Cox said Brown deserved special recognition for wearing a tie to the Monday meeting with the college. Brown had reportedly told college officials he borrowed the tie from Cox, who said he made sure Brown could tie it.
On a more serious note, Cox recognized the board for its leadership in working to bring the college to the county.
Flora gave a PowerPoint presentation that offered the board an overview of the extensive improvements and repairs made to date, which include everything from roofing and stucco repair to a new bathroom facility and asbestos removal in the attic. General maintenance and weatherization are continuing.
He said there is very little renovation planned for the building's main floor, which is the second story of the building, which also has a seven-story tower.
On the main floor there will be student dormitories and administration offices, and an elevator will be added for access, Flora said.
More structural changes will be made on the third floor, where a hallway will be removed and replaced with classrooms, he explained. Those third story renovations will minimize structural changes by making changes in an area with less load bearing walls.
The third floor also will have a wing devoted to faculty living spaces and offices, and a lounge, Flora said.
On the lower level, moisture damage is still being fixed, but Flora said that area of the building is envisioned to eventually house a student center, recreation area, computer labs, and a study area and student lounge.
Flora said Marymount College wants to support research studies on issues of significance to the county, as well as address lifelong learning needs through training, certification or degree programs.
The county is to be responsible for carrying out many of the renovations ahead of the college starting classes there, he said.
Flora said the proposed lease would be for 15 years, beginning July 1, 2013.
It would contain a 12-month termination clause and an option to purchase the building outright, “which we view as the ideal situation,” he said.
Terms of the memorandum include a $1 a year lease fee for the first five years, 50 percent of the college's annual net revenue thereafter, which is not to be less than $85,000 or more than $250,000 annually.
Cox said the county has prepared a lease document and sent it to the college for its consideration. The document includes an incentive to purchase the building, with the price going up over time.
Flora said the county is not looking to make money on selling the building to the college, because county officials believe the social and economic impacts of Marymount College's presence will reap rewards for the county for many years to come.
Next steps include the college approving the memorandum of understanding, reviewing a survey of community members, lease finalization, program development for the educational component, Flora said.
The college also plans to send key faculty members to the county in the fall to meet with the community. Flora said a local advisory group and a supporting foundation are to be formed.
In 2017-18, Flora said the college will consider if the campus is working and if it will continue to keep a presence there longterm.
Building a stronger community
Sommerfield said that Marymount College's proposed Lucerne campus will allow local students to be able to attend a four year college locally, and the well educated work force that results will benefit businesses and the economy, helping county industry to become more vibrant.
She recognized Holbrook for his pivotal role and thanked Wanda Quitiquit for working to gather tribal representatives to meet with Marymount College officials.
Rushing said the college wants key groups – including tribes – to be represented in the local advisory group. The college's public outreach that will begin this fall will include a town hall meeting at the Lucerne Hotel.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said the college coming to the county is “a game changer for us.”
Holbrook thanked the board for the opportunity to work on the project and for its members' vision.
He recalled telling them a year ago that he was ready and willing to move on the project. Since then, he has worked with an advisory committee that was key in establishing a vision for the building and the Lucerne community's future.
“This is a big, big step, but it’s not the only step,” he said, adding that the Lake County Office of Education is ready, willing and able to support the proposed college.
He said he was proud to be a part of it, and hopes the work at the Lucerne Hotel will serve as a model for other opportunities. “We have a way of collaborating that others don’t.”
Lake County Chamber Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton also thanked the board.
“Being included in everything that has gone on with this project has meant a great deal to all of us,” he said.
The pathway to a successful future is alway education, said Fulton, who added that allowing people to gain an education in Lake County will bring with it the opportunity for them to stay and help the county expand and grow.
She offered the business community's appreciation for what she said was the board's “constant efforts” to improve Lake County.
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