69传媒

The village board approved a resolution supporting the one-campus approach, which would ensure that the Wells College campus is not parceled off. The board is hoping that it will continue to be used by a higher education institution.聽

In a letter to federal and state representatives, village leaders outline why they support a one-campus concept. The benefits, they say, include consistency of jobs and residences, economic stability, avoiding "checkerboarded lots" and maintaining the community's heritage.

"The village of Aurora stands by ready, willing and able to assist in many ways and seeks commitment and partnership from Wells College, involved New York state agencies and legislative leaders and representatives in this critically important matter," village leaders, including Aurora Mayor Jim Orman, wrote. "This exigent matter may very well decide the continued existence of our village, or its termination."

The campus's fate will be decided over the next several months as the college finalizes its closure. The village board joins other residents and stakeholders voicing opinions about what should happen with the historic property.聽

Wells Legacy Society, an alumni group that formed in the aftermath of the college's sudden closure announcement, wants to preserve the school's history in Aurora.聽

Rachel Snyder, president of the Wells Legacy Society, told 69传媒 they hope a campus building will be used as a museum for the college's collection.聽

Another idea is to return the land to the Cayuga Nation. Jodi Baldwin, owner of the Howland Farm Museum, launched a petition asking the state to give the land to the Cayugas. So far, the petition has 828 signatures.聽

There are other entities affected by the closure. The Community Medical Center is located on the Wells campus. The center's owner, Dr. Heather MacAdam, told 69传媒 in May that she expressed interest in buying the building from Wells College. However, the college warned her that the state attorney general's office and state Education Department may get involved in the transaction.聽

Peachtown Elementary School is also interested in remaining at its location on the Wells campus. The school has rented a college-owned building for more than 30 years.聽

Redeveloping the campus may be challenging and expensive, Aurora village leaders noted in their letter. The buildings, they wrote, are "not well-suited for adaptive reuse as the ostensibly thick block and/or stone structures lack (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility." The campus is in an institutional zoning district, meaning it can be used for libraries, nonprofit schools or research centers.

In the letter, the village board requests a marketing campaign to "save this historic 'jewel' of a campus along the shores of Cayuga Lake."

"Our 323 residents and village leaders are willing to mobilize and volunteer for steering committee work and countless other tasks that could help this proud community retain a viable institution of higher learning on the Wells College campus," they wrote.