Dr. Adams hands over a check to Lucius Weeks to purchase the Downtown Center from Landmark Bank in 1977. The Downtown Center was to become the college's administrative headquarters as well as an instructional site.
On August 24, 1977, South Campus opened its doors to about 700 students. Classes were held at the First United Methodist Church in Hollywood. On June 3, 1979, ground was broken for the first permanent facility on the North Perry Airport property. The building, later named Sheldon J. Schlesinger Hall, contained classrooms, student services facilities, and faculty and administration offices, and was ready for the start of fall classes in 1980.