RVC terminates Barber-Colman agreement, takes on new location

The $32 million project to build Rock Valley College's Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in the abandoned Barber-Colman factory is officially nixed.

Rock Valley College terminated an agreement to revamp a dilapidated downtown property, and will instead lease space at the Rockford Register Star building, at 99 E. State Street.

The city of Rockford says it received notice of termination shortly before 11 a.m. Friday. At the same time, Rock Valley College held a news conference to announce their plans to lease 15,000 square-feet for $300,000 a year at the Register Star.

In 2016, the city had partnered with the Rockford Local Development Corporation and RVC to makeover the old factory. The Planning & Development committee passed several ordinances to ensure the funds needed for the massive $32 million project were available.

The city acquired the property back in 2001 and alderpersons had said they were looking forward to giving a space that has sat vacant for years a much needed facelift.