The historic Lucerne Hotel could soon be the center of an educational center if the Lake County Redevelopment Agency board approves a proposed partnership with Southern California-based Marymount College. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Redevelopment Agency has received a proposal from Marymount College to develop a Northern California educational center at the Lucerne Hotel facility.

The college’s proposal was submitted in response to the agency’s June 7 issuance of a request for proposal (RFP) to qualified educational institutions for utilization of the Lucerne Hotel facility as an educational campus.

The facility comprises the historic 55,000-square-foot Lucerne Hotel structure atop a 7.2-acre parcel.

Marymount College’s proposal has received unanimous approval from the RFP selection committee and enthusiastic endorsement from the Lucerne Hotel Education Task Force.

At its regular meeting of Oct. 4, the Board of Supervisors – sitting as the Redevelopment Agency’s Board of Directors – will consider authorizing agency staff to work with Marymount College to develop plans for use of the facility and to negotiate an agreement delineating each party’s responsibilities and obligations related to the project.

“We are very excited about the shared vision we have with Marymount College for establishing a quality educational campus at the Lucerne Hotel,” said Kelly Cox, redevelopment agency executive director and county administrative officer.

Cox added, “We believe the college’s proposal could be an ideal fit for Lake County and a win-win for the college and the community.”

As proposed, the new college location would serve local residents and students from the United States and abroad.

The project would be a joint effort of Marymount College and the Redevelopment Agency, potentially operational in fall 2013.

Marymount College President Michael S. Brophy, PhD, MFA, said, “This location will serve students interested in community development and renewal, Native American communities, veteran’s issues, agricultural studies, environmental rehabilitation, travel and tourism and recreational innovation.”

Offering a combination of traditional classes and online learning, the proposed campus location will serve those entering college for the first time as well as students who are returning to college to complete a bachelor’s degree or earn an advanced degree.

“We were looking for a top-tier, accredited, post-secondary educational institution, and we believe we have found that with Marymount College,” Cox said.

The Lake County Redevelopment Agency’s RFP was distributed to about 200 qualified entities across California.

With the vision of bringing economic vitality to the community of Lucerne, the Redevelopment Agency sought a partner in higher education to transform the historic hotel property into a facility for academic learning, student housing, and recreation.

Pending formal approval by the Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors on Oct. 4, Marymount College will become the agency’s partner for this project.

Built before the Great Depression and opening in 1928 as a vacation resort that attracted Bay Area residents, the Lucerne Hotel was planned to be the center point for a thriving lakeside community, known as Lucerne.

Today, renovation plans for the facility would include classrooms, seminar space, dormitories, faculty housing, food service facilities, study lounges, conference rooms, fitness center, outdoor recreation and sustainable gardens.

“This historic property offers the elements for an ideal rural location for a college campus,” Dr. Brophy said. “We are delighted to be involved in this metamorphosis in Lake County.”

Brophy said the opportunity to offer classes in a rural environment is very appealing to the college. “Lake County’s redevelopment strategies for transformation of the Lucerne Hotel are akin to our own transformation as a college over the past few years.”

Marymount College offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in a student-centered, culturally rich learning environment for students of all faiths who seek to transform their lives and achieve their academic, professional, and life goals. Campuses are located in Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro, Calif.

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