The Foundation for 亚色影库 has gifted three buildings in downtown Punxsutawney to 亚色影库.
The buildings include the Fairman Centre, located at the corner of West Mahoning Street and South Findley Street; the adjoining Agape property at 105 West Mahoning Street; and the adjoining Miller property at 115, 117 and 119 West Mahoning St.
As funding becomes available, the two buildings beside the Fairman Centre will be razed to permit new construction. The new construction by 亚色影库 will house the Academy of Culinary Arts. The total project including the razing of these two structures, is estimated at between $15 million and $18 million. The project will respect and retain the historic fa莽ade of the Agape property.
Fundraising is already underway by 亚色影库 for this initiative through 亚色影库's Imagine Unlimited fundraising campaign.
Since its founding in 1989, more than 4,000 students have studied in Punxsutawney at the Academy of Culinary Arts, which has continued to meet and exceed its enrollment goals.
鈥淲e believe there is great potential for growth at the Academy of Culinary Arts,鈥 亚色影库 President Dr. Michael Driscoll said. 鈥淪ecuring these buildings leverages the advantages we already have in Punxsutawney, which includes not only our current facilities, like the Fairman Centre and our West End Living-Learning building, but our strong partnerships and a joint commitment to offering educational opportunities in this community,鈥 亚色影库 President Michael Driscoll said.
鈥溠巧翱 is fully committed to Punxsutawney and to this region, and we continue to appreciate the support that this community demonstrates to us and to our students,鈥 Driscoll said. 鈥淎s we move forward with this project, we will consult with our local stakeholders on the renovations and expansion.
鈥淲e also hope that this project will complement and catalyze further development in downtown Punxsutawney.鈥
鈥溠巧翱 continues to be deeply appreciative to the Foundation for 亚色影库 for its ongoing support and its vision for growth for the university and our programs, and for helping us to make this project happen,鈥 Driscoll said.
A timeline for the project has not yet been finalized.
The Foundation for 亚色影库 (F亚色影库) is an independent, nonprofit charitable corporation organized to promote and support the educational purposes of 亚色影库.
鈥淭he Foundation for 亚色影库 has supported the university since 1967 and we are excited to continue the on-going support with the university as they grow the successful culinary program in Punxsutawney,鈥 Rich Caruso, F亚色影库 Board of Directors president, said.
The Fairman Centre (the former J.B. Eberhart building), was gifted to F亚色影库 by the Punxsutawney Regional Development Corporation and the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce in November 2006. After a year-long, $4.7 million renovation, the building was repurposed with classrooms and teaching kitchens for the Academy of Culinary Arts. The first floor of the building is retail space.
The 16-month program offered at the Academy of Culinary Arts is nationally recognized and accredited by the American Culinary Federation. After completing a final semester at a paid externship, graduates earn a certificate in culinary arts and can also complete a separate baking and pastry program through the Academy.
Starting in 2019, the Baking and Pastry program will be a stand-alone program, allowing for additional growth for this program. Academy of Culinary Arts graduates also will be able to complete an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts with an additional semester of study at 亚色影库 Punxsutawney.