Saginaw leaders court Delta center

Representatives from Buena Vista, Downtown Saginaw and Michigan Avenue gathered at Delta College’s Board of Trustee’s meeting on Jan. 13 to present why their zone should be chosen for Delta’s new Saginaw Center.

“This is a very exciting time for Delta and Saginaw alike. We have always worked hand in hand on many projects and a large amount of students come from the Saginaw area,” said board member Kimberly Houston-Philpot. “I cannot wait to get this motion underway and develop the new center in the best possible area, which is going to be hard to decide.”

Dwayne Parker, Supervisor of Buena Vista Township, and Sarah Traxler, Director of Community Development at McKenna Associates, advocated for the Buena Vista zone.

One of their prime arguing points included the fact that there is a “33 acre, shovel ready” spot for the location of Delta’s new campus.

“If Delta were to sign, we could literally start building within a matter of days,” said Traxler.

Deputy City Manager Tim Morales and Midwestern Surgical Associate Dr. Samuel Shaheen represented Downtown Saginaw.

They gave examples of possible partners for Delta should the Downtown location be chosen. Some of the examples they used were the Dow Event Center, Castle Museum, Temple Theater, Michigan Works, AT&T, CMU and TV5.

The major partner mentioned was St. Mary’s. Morales and Shaheen said that the hospital would be quintessential to the students, providing them with internships, clinical options, hands on experience and full-time work opportunities.

Foundation Director at Covenant HealthCare, Carol Cottrell, made an argument for Michigan Avenue.

Cottrell also focused on the possible partners for Delta, including the Children’s Museum, the Art and Science Academy, the CMU College Of Medical Pursuits and Covenant Hospital.

Having such a “prestigious hospital as a partner could benefit Delta and Delta students” in a massive way, “similar to the benefits of St. Mary’s,” said Cottrell.

Tim Morales and owner and President of Garber Automotive, Dick Garber, represented Old Town. They discussed partnering possibilities, including Skate Park, Hoyt Park, the Saginaw Art Museum, the Lawn Chair Film Fest, the KCQ Music Fest, the Rum Rush, Saginaw News and the Water Treatment Plants.

The board will choose the zone in February. Downtown location be chosen. Some of the examples they used were the Dow Event Center, Castle Museum, Temple Theater, Michigan Works, AT&T, CMU and TV5.

Foundation Director at Covenant HealthCare, Carol Cottrell, made an argument for Michigan Avenue.

Cottrell focused on the possible partners for Delta, including the Children’s Museum, the Art and Science Academy, the CMU College Of Medical Pursuits and Covenant Hospital.

Having such a “prestigious hospital as a partner could benefit Delta and Delta students” in a massive way, “similar to the benefits of St. Mary’s,” said Cottrell.

Tim Morales and owner and President of Garber Automotive, Dick Garber, represented Old Town. They discussed partnering possibilities, including Skate Park, Hoyt Park, the Saginaw Art Museum, the Lawn Chair Film Fest, the KCQ Music Fest, the Rum Rush, Saginaw News and the Water Treatment Plants.

The board will choose the zone in February.