‘Many interested groups’: Closed Western Mass. college campus attracts potential buyers
A group of alumni, residents and nonprofit leaders are among those interested in purchasing the closing Bard College at Simon's Rock campus in Great Barrington.
The group, which formed a 501(c)(3) partnership called Simon's Rock Village , intends to preserve the campus as a community resource, according to a statement.
They intend to "open as a hub for affordable housing, learning, arts and wellness for the Berkshires and beyond," the group said. Those goals are informed by community-wide surveys and conversations, according to their website.
"Simon's Rock showed me what a true community of thinkers and dreamers can accomplish when we all work together. Simon's Rock Village is our way of giving back and ensuring that future generations have the same chance to grow, create and belong as we did as students. Our vision is to make sure that spirit of innovation and inclusion continues to thrive for our community and everyone in the Berkshires," said Stephen Lieberman, president of the nonprofit and 2003 graduate. "We're committed to ensuring future generations can learn, create and belong here."
Outside of Simon's Rock Village, there are "many interested groups" looking at buying the campus, according to Taun Toay, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Bard College.
For instance, there is another group of 20 community members that formed in December who have expressed interest, according to the Berkshire Edge .
Bard College at Simon's Rock announced it would be closing its Great Barrington campus in November due to declining enrollment. Bard Academy, a two-year ninth and 10th grade high school, also closed in Western Massachusetts. Both relocated to Bard College's Massena Campus near its main campus in New York.
The closure led to 116 layoffs .
In response to the closure, the town of Great Barrington passed a zoning proposal to add additional zoning such as multi-unit housing, assisted living residences and professional offices to expand the campus' potential uses.
Other Massachusetts colleges have closed recently. Eastern Nazarene College, a private liberal arts college in Quincy, announced in June it would close due to financial issues.
The Bard College at Simon's Rock campus will be sold by JLL Commercial Commercial Real Estate and Property Investment of Chicago , which is creating a marketing plan for the 275-acre property.
Simon's Rock Village is raising $100,000 in operating funds and seeking community pledges to purchase the campus. Their priorities are to keep the Kilpatrick Athletic Center open for over 350 local families, maintain the Daniel Arts Center for performances and exhibitions and repurpose campus housing for affordable housing.
The organization was spearheaded by alumni such as Marla Goldberg-Jamate '83, David Long '80, Charlie Derr '82, Elisa Sideli '83, and Jonathan Lothrop '82, according to the group's website. The group is part of Youbilee, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to social innovation and community empowerment.
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