What Should Go Here? Former DeVry University Building

There's an unused 110,000-square-foot building on 21 acres of land just off DeKalb Industrial Boulevard in Decatur.

It's the old DeVry University building. DeVry moved its operations into the city limits a couple of years ago and asked Decatur to annex the land, which the city commission agreed to do in August 2009.

There was talk about a mixed-use development, but that seems to have faded with the economy. For-sale signs are posted and city hall says DeVry is still marketing the site.

Meanwhile, the city is now deciding whether to proceed with the annexation of residential and commercial land on the outskirts of town. If the annexation goes through, it would bring a lot of new students into the school system and necessitate the renovation and construction of new schools.

How might the old DeVry building fit into the annexation equation? Could it provide growing space for schools? Would that be the best use for the land? What should go here?

About this column: Every week or so, we'll post a picture of a vacant store or lot in Decatur and Avondale Estates. You can tell us what you think should replace the empty space. Know of an empty building we should highlight? E-mail ralph.ellis@patch.com.