Southwestern Oregon Community College is looking into buying this building from the City of Coos Bay. The Neighborhood Facility Building has been the home for South Coast Head Start for several years. World Photo by Madeline Steege

Southwestern Oregon Community College's footprint is expected to grow with its impending acquisition of a 38,000-square-foot piece of property near Empire Lakes.

The college's bid to purchase the Neighborhood Facility Building site near John Topits Park means the current tenant, South Coast Head Start, will need to begin looking for a new home.

The property was put up for sale during a sealed bid process last fall in which prospective buyers were to make minimum bids of at least $305,453 to the property owner - the city of Coos Bay.

In September, Southwestern learned it made the highest bid - $325,001 - winning the right to purchase the property.

A few details still need to be worked out including maintaining some easements over the property, said Southwestern's Mike Gaudette, dean of marketing, recruiting and college advancement.

The college wants the property - located near Empire Lakes off of Newmark Avenue - because it's consistent with the long-term facilities master plan that focuses on acquiring property adjacent to campus, he said.

"We have looked at a lot of things (the building) could be," Gaudette said. "It could be a conference center. It could be classroom space. It could be a recreational space for student housing. They're all possibilities."

One of the losers in the bidding process was South Coast Head Start, which occupies the one-story, 8,198-square-foot building constructed in 1969. It's home to the group's 11 administrative staff offices, eight classrooms and two child care classes that each hold 18 children, said South Coast Head Start Director Dale Helland.

He said he understands why the college wants the property - it's a good investment - the same reason Head Start bid for the building.

Head Start is in the middle of a five-year lease agreement that expires in June of 2008.

"It made more sense to buy it, than to continue to lease it," Helland said.

Head Start pays $2,500 rent per month to the city, but as owner, Head Start's monthly payments would have dropped to between $1,700 and $2,000, Helland said.

"We were actually very hopeful of being able to purchase the building," he said. "It's a setback. It would have been a nice thing for us to stay in the building and not have to find something new. But, you can't win them all."

Despite the looming change in ownership, Gaudette said the college will maintain the status quo.

"They have the right to stay there," Gaudette said. "They have a lease that is in force, which survives the transfer of ownership ... for the next 31/2 years."