Alabama State University?s $2.3 million purchase of the former Alabama Public Television building in Montgomery has been delayed as lawyers from three parties try to ?unwind? the details of leasing and ownership.
Then-ASU President William Harris said in June that the school hoped to finalize the sale in time for its students to begin using the facility for hands-on broadcast media instruction by the start of fall semester, which began Aug. 20. That plan is on hold as city representatives have joined APT and ASU officials in working through the legal process.
?There are some legal issues related to who owns the property, who owns the building and what the terms of the lease are,? Montgomery Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes said.
The school hired longtime WSFA-TV anchor Bob Howell in June to lead its recently formed Center for Applied Communications Media.
Howell said at the time that the former APT facility near Paterson Field will offer the ?missing link? of hands-on experience for those students, who will learn technical skills and eventually will produce newscasts from the building.
Downes said the city wants to help make that happen as soon as possible.
?We want Alabama State to operate their program there,? Downes said. ?It?s a great use for a facility that may otherwise be vacant.?
The Advertiser reported in July that Howell will make $187,000 a year, making him one of the highest-paid employees at the university.
Harris stepped down Sept. 17 to make way for new ASU President Joseph H. Silver Sr., who previously was provost and vice president of academic affairs at Clark Atlanta University.
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