Tridle said school officials pursued the move in part because the Edgefield Road facility consists of three buildings and Kaplan wanted to consolidate operations into one building.
“It’s just going to be a more optimal learning environment for (students),” Tridle said.
Additionally, the new location provides the school with another 5,000 square feet, space it needs to accomodate future growth, Tridle said.
The school, which has about 700 students, has seen enrollment grow 21 percent between October 2007 and October of this year, Tridle said.
Kaplan Higher Education acquired OIP&T in 2000.
Kaplan Higher Education bills itself as a for-profit provider of post-secondary education through more than 70 campuses nationwide as well as online programs. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan Inc., a subsidiary of The Washington Post Co.
The East River Road building housed Oberer Cos., which then sold it to Neyer Properties Inc. in 2007, according to Montgomery County property records. Oberer Cos. stayed put, leasing the building back from Neyer, said George Oberer Jr., president of the local developer and builder.
As the housing industry started contracting, Oberer said his company’s management decided they had more space than they needed. Oberer said they began looking for someone to sub-lease part of the building.
While initially company executives had planned on staying in the East River Road building, when Kaplan proposed taking over the entire building, Oberer executives saw it as an opportunity to cut costs, George Oberer said.
Oberer Cos., in the meantime, moved to 9080 Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, where it continues to operate.
The East River Road building, visible from Interstate 75, once housed the headquarters of Dayton Walther, a manufacturer of cast metal wheels. Oberer Cos. bought the building in 2001.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7317 or ttresslar@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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