New life could soon be coming to the dormant Steubenville campus of Eastern Gateway Community College. Youngstown State University has reached a tentative agreement to establish a satellite campus on a portion of the community college's main campus, almost a year after Eastern Gateway closed.
Jefferson County Commissioners Tony Morelli said Monday the county, the Eastern Gateway Community College Governing Board and Youngstown State University had reached a tentative deal.
"I feel positive," Morelli said. "I think Youngstown State, I've said it before, is a great asset to the situation that we're in: to have an empty building and end up with a four-year state university, that's good, instead of a big empty building."
The commissioners had sued to try to revert control of the property from the college's governing body to the county. This deal would avoid that litigation, set to move forward in early September. However, the agreement still must be approved by all parties.
The governing body for Eastern Gateway Community College didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent Monday afternoon. Youngstown State University in a statement said its goal is to ensure the continuity of "strong, accessible educational opportunities in Steubenville and the surrounding area."
"The dissolution of EGCC has been a complex and ongoing process, and while significant progress has been made, it is not yet complete," spokesperson Rebecca Rose said. "YSU continues to work closely with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and Jefferson County officials to develop a viable and sustainable pathway to bring high-quality higher education to the former EGCC campus in Steubenville. In addition, we are working with state officials to determine a near and long-term funding strategy for the operations in Steubenville.
"While nothing is finalized at this time, we are encouraged by the collaboration and momentum, and remain optimistic that we will be able to share more positive updates in the near future."
Morelli said the commissioners will keep part of the property to use for economic development under the tentative agreement.
Eastern Gateway closed last year after its federal funding was halted amid allegations of mismanagement, and a raid by state investigators. The Eastern Gateway Community College Governing Board, made up of officials appointed by the state, has since sold off the college's buildings in Youngstown.
