Wichita State University thwarted Butler Community College’s bid to take over the old fire station on South Topeka in Downtown Wichita for its hospitality and culinary arts program.

After it was announced in mid-April that Butler was one of two finalists to occupy the space, David Moses, WSU’s general counsel, delivered a cease-and-desist letter to Butler President, Kimberly Krull, saying Butler would need WSU’s approval to offer courses outside its service area. The letter said WSU did not approve of the project and Butler would be breaking the law if it moved forward with it.

Butler announced April 30 it would no longer be in consideration for the project.

Butler currently hosts its hospitality and culinary arts classes at Boston Park in southeast Wichita, with permission from WSU.

The letter from Moses said the proposed downtown project was in direct conflict with WSU’s plans to develop a hospitality programming through a collaboration with WSU Tech, formerly Wichita Area Technical College. The program will not be housed in the downtown fire station. The Wichita City Council will decide who takes over the building.

Krull told the Wichita Eagle that Butler, WSU, and WSU Tech were discussing the possibility of a collaboration for the culinary arts project.