Decision on college location expected in Nov.

Fri, 09/26/2008 - 3:38pm
By: John Munford

Peachtree City officials are re-tooling the “transition” plan that would provide a temporary location for Atlanta Christian College as it would build a brand-new campus on the northern end of the city.

Originally the city worked out an arrangement with the Fayette County Board of Education to have the college operate at the former campus of the East Fayette Elementary School in downtown Fayetteville, which has a working cafeteria and media center in addition to classroom and office space the college will need.

While ACC representatives appreciate that offer, they have asked the city to prepare another alternative transition plan.

Peachtree City’s main competition for the campus relocation is from the city of Newnan, which is suggesting the college locate in existing buildings that could be renovated.

ACC is expected to make a decision on its new location sometime in November, though the time line could be extended if more time is necessary to make the right decision, said ACC spokesperson Sarah Huxford.

Peachtree City is offering a 25-acre parcel for a new campus that could be built from scratch just off Ga. Highway 74 north at the new extension of MacDuff Parkway.

Mark Hollums, a city resident who’s on the Development Authority of Peachtree City and is also a friend of the college, said he likes the city’s chances to land the school. Hollums said he took his son to the college fair hosted by the Fayette school system at Sandy Creek High School and an ACC representative was there with more than 100 other schools.

Hollums said he approached her near the end of the evening, and she told him the question she got the most was whether the school would be moving to Peachtree City.

ACC is a private institution that has plans to dramatically expand its student enrollment from the current level of 450 students to approximately 1,200.

The college has no fraternities and no alcohol is allowed on campus. The school is currently located in the city of East Point and focuses on teaching students “for Christ-centered service and leadership throughout the world.”

ACC offers seven areas of study for degree programs, ranging from biblical studies to business. A new program offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees for adults along with online courses.

Currently the school has 15 full-time faculty and its sports teams compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association including competition in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball.

login to post comments