Espadria College Institute proposes Jacksonville satellite campus for online programs

In a recent meeting of the Fort Pierce Planning Board, discussions centered around the proposed establishment of a satellite campus for Espadria College Institute, which aims to serve students aged 17 to 55. Dr. Jose Garcia, the college president, outlined plans for the facility, which will include two computer labs, training labs, and classrooms, all designed to accommodate a small number of on-site students, typically between six to ten at any given time.

The proposed campus will not involve any demolition of the existing structure, and the landscaping plan includes the addition of three new trees and various shrubs, enhancing the property’s green space. The board noted that the application meets the city’s conditional use standards, and staff recommended forwarding it to the city commission for approval, contingent upon two conditions: the acquisition of a signed permit before occupancy and a notarized landscape maintenance agreement.

However, concerns were raised regarding parking availability, as local resident Perry Lloyd highlighted past issues with insufficient parking at the site. The board acknowledged this concern but did not delve deeply into parking solutions during the meeting.

Dr. Garcia emphasized that most classes would be conducted online, with the campus primarily serving as a registration and training site, where students would engage in hands-on learning with mannequins for clinical rotations at affiliated clinics. The limited flow of individuals on-site was noted as a factor that could mitigate potential disruptions to the surrounding residential area.

As the meeting concluded, the board prepared to vote on the proposal, leaving the community with a sense of anticipation about the potential educational opportunities this new campus could bring to Fort Pierce.