GEDC has something better in mind for Victoria College

The change in plans the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) recently had for its assistance to Victoria College’s expansion project may turn out to be good news after all.

The GEDC has something even better in mind for Victoria College.

The GEDC recently decided to abandon its original pledge of $400,000 to Victoria College, funds that would have helped construct a science lab building and a trade facility.

“I want everyone to know that we’re still going through with the Victoria College expansion project,” GEDC director Carolyn Gibson said Monday.

“When you abandon a project, you do it to get it off the books and make it null and void,” Gibson explained. “This should not be confused with the word ‘canceled.’ All aspects of the project have to be done away with so when you come across a new and better idea, you have to start from scratch.

“The project we approved last year for VC was the construction of a career center for welding, and construction trades training,” Gibson said. “They were going to build an additional science lab. The career center was to be a separate building built on the armory property.

“We were approached with the idea of buying this property in lieu of constructing a new building,” Gibson said. “Previously, this property was very expensive, but the price suddenly dropped considerably.”

Gibson could not disclose the price or location of the property, but did say it was going to be a better deal.

“When all contracts were approved, VC went out for bid,” Gibson said. “When we got the bids in, everyone thought the project was going to cost around $800,000. However, they turned out to cost a good $250,000 to 300,000 more than expected. The funds that VC has now totals $695,000. So, you can see a big gap there.

“We want V.C. to expand in Gonzales,” Gibson said. “And they will. We want our people to have better job opportunities, and we’re very blessed that they picked us to have a campus here.”

Gibson also said that by purchasing the new property instead, Victoria College could have the new facilities and classes up and running as early as summer 2012.

“This is actually projecting to happen faster than the original idea,” she said. “We cannot comment on the location of the property in question or specific dollar amounts at this time, but we can say we’re optimistic we’re going to have the classes earlier than we would have with the original idea.”

GEDC also approved two new grant applications — $25,000 each for Marlene Metzler’s forthcoming “Running M Bar & Grill,” located downtown in the old Boothe and Lewis Building, and Barbara Crozier’s addition to Laurel Ridge Antiques, the historic home on St. Joseph Street.

“Metzler’s project should provide 13 new part-time jobs and will be open seven days a week,” Gibson said.

As for Laurel Ridge, Crozier wants to add three rooms to the second floor of the shop and renovate that part into an inn.

“It’s not going to be a bed-and-breakfast type thing,” Gibson said. “It’s going to become an ‘Inn and Antiques,’ with a cottage being built behind the shop.”