Des Moines Area Community College has hit pause on the potential sale of the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, according to a news release.
The college’s board of directors announced September its plans to sell the property at 1171 S. Seventh St. and turn over the center’s programs to nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines. But feedback from residents at a forum held last month pushed officials to reconsider, DMACC President and CEO Rob Denson said in the news release.
That means an Oct. 8 community forum has been canceled and the board will no longer vote on the building’s proposed sale at its Oct. 13 meeting.
“The situation for DMACC has not changed,” Denson said in the release. “We have challenges in funding the Evelyn K. Davis Center, and now we anticipate more in years to come. The center’s future depends on its ability to become self-sufficient or take on a new partner.”
“But having heard input from community members and center stakeholders,” he explained, “we understand that the community wants to be a part of the solution. We will pursue an outcome that ensures that they have a greater voice in the process.”
Under the college’s leadership, the center, which opened in 2013, has helped thousands of individuals with job training and coaching and financial education. Since last year, it has served more than 11,000 people — with over 1,700 turning to career coaching.
The college plans to create an advisory committee including community members and stakeholders to seek other options for the center, the news release said.
“DMACC has played an important role in establishing the Evelyn K. Davis Center well over a decade ago,” Denson said. “We believe in the center’s mission and its work in service of the community. Nobody wants to ensure the long-term sustainability of the center more than we do.”
F. Amanda Tugade covers community and faith for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on X @writefelissa.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DMACC postpones sale of Evelyn K. Davis Center after public feedback
Reporting by F. Amanda Tugade, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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