Pulaski Technical College officials decided last week to build a new bond-financed culinary school at an existing site rather than a location in downtown Little Rock, Ark., promoted by Mayor Mark Stodola and a coalition of 48 businesses and organizations.
The school issued $69.5 million of revenue bonds that included $15 million for the culinary center.
Trustees said it would cost $20 million to build and equip a downtown facility.
A downtown facility also would cost more to operate, the board has determined.
“We want to do something downtown, but I just don’t see it at this point and this time,” trustee MaryJane Rebick said.
The vote was 3 to 2. Chairman John Suskie, who voted against the downtown site, said the location at the existing campus had been determined before the bonds were issued.
Stodola asked school trustees in November to consider a downtown center on a site that the Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission would buy and lease to the school for $1 a year.
The offer also included 250-spot parking deck and a discount on kitchen equipment.
