Burlington College Sells Current Campus to COTS
Online, November 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Burlington College has entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement with the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS). The prominent Old North End building will soon retire as the home of Burlington College and will become COTS administrative offices, family services program, and Housing Resource Center.
"Burlington College was committed to selling to an entity which would continue to serve the community," said Dr. Jane O'Meara Sanders, President of Burlington College, "We are excited about our move and are pleased our building will be a resource for a worthwhile organization such as COTS."
This new site will permit COTS to bring multiple programs and administrative offices together in one central location. "We are thrilled about this exciting opportunity that will help our staff and volunteers to serve our clients more efficiently in a more effective location," said Rita Markley, COTS Executive Director.
COTS is nationally recognized for its innovative solutions in preventing homelessness and offering shelter and long-term housing for families lacking financial safety nets when they experience financially difficult times.
The five houses on Lakeview Terrace, Haswell Street and North Avenue, along with the parking lot, will be retained by Burlington College for the next few years. COTS will buy the building and have a parking easement on a portion of the lot.
"This is truly a collaborative effort all the way around," said Sanders. "Burlington College, COTS and the Diocese intend to close on all the properties by the end of the year, but will be sharing space through the end of May, 2011." College classes will be offered on the present campus through then.
The new Campus less than a half a mile up North Avenue will offer significantly more instructional, event, and meeting space for the college. The Roman Catholic Diocese has entered into a purchase-and sale agreement for the 77,000 square foot Victorian building and 32 acres with the College earlier this year.
Burlington College is a non-traditional, four-year liberal arts college located in Burlington, Vermont. The mission of Burlington College is to guide students to become skillful and reflective practitioners, lifelong learners, and active citizens engaged in fostering a just, humane society and sustainable, beautiful communities.