AVC renews efforts for Palmdale campus

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press March 6, 2001.

By JULIE M. DRAKE
Valley Press Staff Writer

LANCASTER - The idea of building a second Antelope Valley College campus in Palmdale isn't dead.

The Antelope Valley College trustees reaffirmed their commitment late last month to build the second campus during a closed session meeting, administrators said.

The college has wanted to add a second site to serve south Valley residents for many years - many of the plans have been at one stage or another for about 10 years.

Last year, those plans took a turn for the worse when the state Community College Chancellor's Office chose to fund projects other than AV College's for the 2001-02 fiscal year.

The proposed Palmdale campus, bordered by Avenue V, Barrel Springs Road and 37th and 47th streets east, stalled when administrators learned the chancellor's office pulled money for the Valley project.

Because the proposed campus - the first phase of which would cost approximately $40 million - would need an additional $11 million in basic infrastructure, the state decided not to provide the money.

AV College board President Michael R. Adams said trustees will look at different funding sources, including redevelopment money from the city of Palmdale and grants, to pay the infrastructure costs.

"The big step is to get the first $3 million to $4 million," Adams said.

In the meantime, he said, the college also will work on the new campus design to show the chancellor's office "we're ready to move forward."

Since the infrastructure necessary - water and sewer lines, and street improvements - would also benefit residents who would live in a nearby housing development, the state would consider the money a gift of public funds, interim President Patricia Sandoval said.

That project - College Park - when last revised included 80 acres for the college, 150 acres for the golf course, 4 acres for a shopping center, and 306 acres for 847 single-family homes.

"(Trustees) are not ready to say to the south Valley, `We're not going to have a campus out there,' " Sandoval said, adding that administrators hope to meet with Palmdale city officials and representatives of land owner David Bushnell "to see what they can come up with."

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said he had hoped the state would come forward with the money to help fund it, adding, "We want a campus, no question."

Sandoval said the college is working on and committed to having a greater presence in the area. Currently, some of the college's classes meet at Palmdale High School and SR Technics at Air Force Plant 42.

Administrators are currently working on a fall schedule they hope will add classes at other sites, such as Littlerock High School and Vasquez High School in Acton.