Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) and the City of Mount Vernon have announced a partnership that will see the relocation of City Hall to a building on Main Street owned by COTC. The move comes as COTC experiences reduced use of its physical classroom space in Mount Vernon due to shifting demographics and increased online learning preferences.
COTC President John M. Berry, PhD, has been engaging with the community about potential partnerships through town hall meetings. Meanwhile, Mount Vernon has been seeking a new central location for its municipal operations. The agreement allows the City to occupy the lower level and first floor of 236 S Main St, while COTC will continue classes on the second floor.
"This partnership is a win-win for both the college and the community," said Berry. He added that proceeds from the transaction would benefit Knox County students through funds held at the Knox County Foundation.
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr said, "The City has been actively exploring options to relocate administrative services." He noted that moving to the COTC facility offers significant savings compared to other options and supports future priorities like advancing an East End fire station project.
The agreement is expected to be a long-term lease with plans for eventual ownership transfer from COTC to the City. Both institutions aim to serve Mount Vernon and Knox County residents efficiently. COTC remains committed to providing accessible technical education across its four campuses in Newark, Coshocton, Knox, and Pataskala.
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