JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The Central Wyoming College Board of Trustees Wednesday night approved a land purchase and associated costs totaling $3.2 million dollars for a new outreach center in Jackson. The funds, to be taken from the college’s reserve account, will be replaced once money from a special tax approved by Teton County voters last month begins coming in this November.
“This is pretty significant,” said board chair Colton Crane. “People have been talking about this for a long time, as long as the 10 years I’ve been on this board. I never thought it would happen.”
Crane, and other trustees, had high praise for the work done behind the scenes to first identify a suitable parcel, and then pursue the special tax to make a Jackson facility a reality.
“This is a triumph of out of the box thinking,” said Trustee Steve Peck.
Central President Dr. Brad Tyndall said the new building would allow the college to expand its present offerings in Teton County and bring more educational services into the community.
Vice President for Administration Willie Noseep said the purchase price is for two adjacent lots in Northwest Jackson on Veronica Lane, close to the Albertson’s Grocery Store and transportation options. The two parcels were purchased for $1.375 million and $1.360 million respectively from two separate owners. A separate fee of $168,000 will be paid to Agora Partners for consulting work and reimbursement for earnest monies paid to secure the land and $21,000 to Jackson Hole Real Estate for commission fees. As soon as the payments are made, the purchase can be closed.
Noseep said he anticipates it will take about 2.5 to 3 years to fully recoup the purchase price and design costs for the new outreach center.
