County purchases Johnson University campus for $28M

Longtime employee receives Spirit Award 

  • Osceola County is spending $28 million to buy the campus of the departing Johnson University (lined in Orange) near Osceola Heritage Park (red) and the Osceola School District (green). FILE PHOTO
    Osceola County is spending $28 million to buy the campus of the departing Johnson University (lined in Orange) near Osceola Heritage Park (red) and the Osceola School District (green). FILE PHOTO
  • Allen Martin (center) received the Spirit of Osceola Award, given by the county to employees who reach 35 years of service. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON
    Allen Martin (center) received the Spirit of Osceola Award, given by the county to employees who reach 35 years of service. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Osceola County approved a plan Monday to purchase the Johnson University campus, located at Bill Beck Boulevard and Simpson Road, for just over $28 million.

The Tennessee-based Christian university announced last July that it would close its Florida campus after a decade-long run, citing “challenges in enrollment” at the Kissimmee location. It will close effective June 30.

The site includes over 40 acres, 12 buildings, some now being used as dorms, a pool, volleyball court, recording studio, library, maintenance shop and multiple parking lots. County officials said the School District of Osceola County, headquartered within walking distance down Bill Beck, has shown interest in acquiring up to eight acres of the land.

Assistant County Manager Ray Stangle said the county doesn’t have immediate plans for the site, but wanted to take advantage of what it called “a surprise.”

“We felt like when the opportunity presented itself, it’d be best not to let the land get sold out from under us at such a great location. It’s adjacent to Osceola Heritage Park and NeoCity. We’ll work with the Board to develop a plan.”

The money would be re-appropriated from a Federal and State Grants fund in the budget.

Also at Monday’s meeting, longtime county maintenance technicianAllen Martin received the Spirit of Osceola Award. Martin, who currently works out of the county correctional facility, has spent 35 years with the county.

When he started, the jail had just opened, and has been supporting what county officials called “a facility that never rests,” and now leads its maintenance teams. Officials call Martin, “A great example of someone who serves his community.”