Topic: Wal-Mart to College
started by: Nose for News
Posted by Nose for News on Mar. 06 2004,6:54 pm
Looks like the old Wal-Mart in Mason City is going to be utilized. Could they have gotten it for less money if Paul Sparks would have inspected it? (must not have had walls crumbling and the roof in need of repairs)
Is a college less expensive than a library in a remodeled Walmart building.(Hamilton College says they have enough room for the college and room to separate the student center and library at the Wal-Mart site with thousands of square feet to work with.)
Renovation cost 2.6 million (much less than Albert Lea's library consultant/architech/salesmans report).
Interesting Albert Lea's librarian sees all on one level as a negative.
Hamilton College sees it as a positive.
Hamilton College heads west
March 6 2004
By MARY PIEPER, Of The Globe Gazette
MASON CITY — After more than 100 years in downtown Mason City,Hamilton College will move to the former Wal-Martbuilding at Plaza West following up to $2.6 million in renovations.
The move, which should be complete by July 1, will give the college more than twice the space it has now, said executive director David Fritz during a press conference Friday.
“This is an exciting time for us and an exciting announcement,” he said.
Hamilton College has been leasing space since 1980 in a building owned by Ron Masters. Shirk Chiropractic Clinic was a part of the complex until Shirk moved his business last year.
Enrollment at the college has more than doubled over the past three years to nearly 400 students. But the current location makes it difficult to expand, according to Fritz.
The 30,000-square foot Plaza West location will allow for additional computer labs, larger classrooms, more adequate parkingand greater accessibilityfor students with disabilities, Fritz said.
The new location could accommodate 650-750 students, according to Fritz. With creative scheduling of classes, as many as 800 students could attend Hamilton.
The move also will allow the college to offer more bachelor’s degree programs and even some master’s degree programs, according to Fritz.
Plans and specifications for renovating the building will be available Monday to contractors who want to bid on the project, he said.
Hamilton will help find a new tenant for the vacated downtown building, Fritz said.
Joyce Kasper, who has taught at Hamilton for more than 26 years, is looking forward to the move.
“It’s going to be very nice to have everything on one floor,” she said, noting this will allow for easier access.
Kasper, who is coordinator of Hamilton’s Academic Success Center, also is pleased the new location will allow the center and libraryto be in separate areas.
Kasper said the current building worked well for the college up to this point, but it is time to move on so Hamilton can expand.
“I think it’s a very positive decision,” she said.
Posted by jimhanson on Mar. 06 2004,7:10 pm
Good "find"! 
Posted by iowegian on Mar. 07 2004,7:29 pm
Iowans just seem to have more common sense, like Hamilton renovating the old Mason Wal-Mart.At one time I considered Hamilton for college courses and have been there a few times in the past to look around and visit with instructors. It was a few years back but even then was crowded, cramped, and kinda crummy, but they give a good education, and turn out students who get jobs and accomplish things. I'll bet they'll do well in the old Wal-Mart building--I wonder how many local construction people will get work adding more to our north IA economy.