Northwestern College announces property acquisition

Northwestern College has officially acquired the property of Mulder Auto Tire and Lube, as well as the Subway building, at the corner of Highway 10 and K-64 in Orange City. The buildings are adjacent to the Korver Visual Arts Center and across from DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, providing a highly visible and integrated setting for future campus expansion.

The acquisition was made possible through funds the board of trustees had set aside in a quasi-endowment for strategic, non-operating purposes such as this, as well as a significant anonymous gift from an alumni couple.

Strategic land acquisition was identified as a top priority for supporting Northwestern’s long-term growth during the development of its 2023–24 campus master plan. While no final decision has been made, board leaders are considering the Mulder corner as a potential site for the new academic building envisioned in the 10-year campus facilities plan.

As part of the agreement, Northwestern will exchange the former Cenex building, which most recently housed the Floral Market, with the Mulders, who plan to relocate their business there by next spring or summer. Renovations have already begun on that facility.

“We are grateful to Scott and Jill Mulder for working with us to make this possible,” says Northwestern College President Greg Christy. “We believe this is a win-win-win for the Mulders, Northwestern College and the Orange City community, and we are excited about the ways Northwestern’s campus will be enhanced in the future with the addition of this property.”