Battle Creek Unlimited set to acquire the Kendall Center from Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is consolidating its footprint in Battle Creek.
The university has tentatively agreed to sell the Kendall Center to Battle Creek Unlimited for $1 after transitioning its regional activities, including classes, to the new, $24 million Aviation Education Center at Battle Creek Executive Airport.
Western initially planned to sell the building to the city of Battle Creek for $1, but a few city commissioners expressed reservations about the purchase, citing a need for more information before entering into an agreement.
A primary concern expressed by commissioners centered around the $5,000 to $7,000 monthly costs the city would have to incur for such things as electricity, insurance and upkeep upon purchasing the building.
"We have experience owning downtown properties and holding them. It was something that we had a little bit more comfort in doing, stepping up to help out where we can," Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Joe Sobieralski said. "We have no plans for (the building) at this point. We just want make to make sure that the building that was given to Western is returned back to the community and put to use in the highest and best use."
WMU has owned the Kendall Center at 50 W. Jackson St. for about 30 years, having purchased it for $1 in the early 1990s. With the opening of its new Aviation Education Center at Battle Creek Executive Airport last year, WMU opted to move its regional activities from the Kendall Center to the new space.
BCU, the city's economic development arm, should close on the property within the next few weeks, according to Sobieralski.
From there, it will be a matter of completing "proper environmental due diligence" for the 38,500-square-foot space, with community engagement and outreach about its future at a later date.
"I think this is a very strategic location," Sobieralski said. "It's in the heart of downtown, it's across the street from the Kellogg Co. corporate headquarters, it's going to be across the street from the revamped McCamly Hotel, (Kellogg) arena ... I think it lends itself to tons of opportunities and that's why we want to make sure it's utilized for its highest and best use."
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-501-5661. Follow him on Twitter: G_SteeleBC
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Unlimited set to acquire the Kendall Center from WMU
