Judson College redevelopers: Campus to house pharmaceutical logistics operation

Judson College redevelopers have revealed general plans for the Marion campus, saying it will center on pharmaceutical logistics, including warehouse and distribution operations. 

At the Marion City Council meeting on Tuesday night, company representative Liberty Duke said the redevelopment will involve approved pharmaceutical ingredients.  

“These are API-approved pharmaceutical ingredients,” she said. “It’s not THC. It’s not marijuana. These are regulated pharmaceutical components.” 

Details of the redevelopment plans for the Judson College campus that closed in 2021 have been short as the new owner Judson College Properties works through the system to get tax abatements from the city, county and state.  

The company on Tuesday got approval for the deal to switch to their new name Monarch Property Management LLC that was given to distance the project from the college that closed in 2021 and comply with state guidance for their requested tax abatements. 

The project is expected to bring construction activity on the front end and long-term job creation once operations begin. 

Council members pressed for more details, citing questions from residents and Judson alumni about the future of the historic campus. But the representative emphasized that the company is bound by a strict nondisclosure agreement with the Alabama Department of Commerce. 

“Every time it’s in the paper, the governor’s legal office calls,” she said. “If we violate the NDA, Alabama can pull the incentives and give them to another city.” 

She noted that the incentives, critical to making the project financially viable, are part of a competitive, multi-state process. 

“At any point, they can yank those incentives,” she said. “Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, they’re all still in play.” 

Councilwoman Ann Lecroy, whose district includes the Judson campus, said residents have been eager for clarity. 

“I’m all for it,” she said. “But people are asking what’s coming. I’ve had to tell them I didn’t know.” 

The representative acknowledged the frustration but said the company is doing everything possible within the restrictions, adding they “want to be good neighbors. We want this to work for Marion.” 

The company also warned that the campus continues to deteriorate, making redevelopment more urgent. 

Monarch now works to finalize incentives and prepare the campus for redevelopment and is expected to return for additional approvals as the project progresses.