It's out with the old and in with the new at Paul Quinn College. The first of 13 old buildings were demolished Monday morning as part of a project administrators hope will breathe new life into not only the campus, but the neighborhood surrounding it.
The south Dallas school has had a steady decline in students over the years and has been battling to keep its accreditation. The school's president said this project couldn't have come at a better time.
"I think that people will finally start to acknowledge that what is going on out here is indeed going on and that is one of the most amazing transformations in higher ed history," said president Michael Sorrell.
The buildings being cleared from campus are being replaced with new athletic fields, a botanical garden and new dormitories and classrooms.
But this project would have never left the ground without developer Trammell Crow Jr., who donated a $1 million to get it started.
He said there's no way Dallas can let Paul Quinn just fade away.
"It is an essential part of our community. We have to have higher education for the black community, right here in the river city," Crow said.
Administrators said it should take about 2 to 3 months to finish the demolition.
Last year the Southern Association of Colleges and schools revoked Paul Quinn’s accreditation, but the school went to federal court and blocked the move. The case could go to trial next year.
