City should accept master plan for college area; Plan Commission hears proposal for use of college

Prairieland Investment Group LLC is tearing down up to five buildings and renovating several others over the coming decade at the former Carthage College campus in Carthage.

Doug Groth, a partner in Prairieland Investment Group LLC, presented the group's master plan to the Plan Commission at a public hearing Wednesday, May 7. The Plan Commission recommended the city council accept the master plan after his presentation.

Prairieland Investment Group LLC is using a newly approved Planned Unit Development district zoning designation for the 23-acre property. The new zoning district allows a mixture of uses within the district with a single property owner.

“It allows greater flexibility for a developer,” said Steve Freiburg of Poepping, Stone, Bach & Associates. “In return, you know what the developer wants to do.”

Once a master plan is approved, the developer presents a detailed site plan. Each project needs permits and approval from the city council like any other development.

Groth said the master plan for the former campus was to maintain a campus feel.

“We want to keep the open green space in the middle,” said Groth. “If anyone decides to build on the property, the building needs to look like it goes with the other buildings.”

Groth went over the possible uses for each building. The auditorium building on the south side of Rt. 136 is being renovated for business and community use. The attached building may be turned into a concession and restroom area. The dormitories to the west are being renovated for employee and student housing. The smaller white building to the west of the dormitories is being removed and a parking lot put in its place.

The boiler building and the former dining hall are being removed. The former science building is office space or possibly apartments. The building where the former Korean owner's sons stayed, could be residential or office space.

The library building is envisioned as a community meeting room with possible offices in the back. Anthony Hall is to be office space for Carthage Veterinary Service and Professional Swine Management. The building to the north of it is being removed.

The gymnasium building to the east will likely be removed.

“It has problems with the roof and some of the brick. Part of it is going to come down,” said Groth. “It's disappointing. We were hoping to use the gym as a fitness center for our employees and possibly the community.”

A mock hog confinement building is being built next to the building. No livestock will be housed at the building, and it is only in use during the day for training.