MacEwan West Campus

Current Status

MacEwan West - Request for Expression of Interest

We are pleased to announce that the MacEwan West Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) is available for non-profit organizations to articulate their space interests in a re-purposed MacEwan West University Campus. Please find below the link to the application package and supporting documents, including:

1. MacEwan West Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) Form
   PDF  Word
2. MacEwan West RFEI Information Sheet (Q&As)
3. MacEwan West Floor Plans

Milestones / Achievements

• On Monday, February 22, 2016, the Community Services report CR_1802 was received by the Citizen Services Committee (formerly Community Services Committee). The information report shares: some of the aggregated results from a preliminary space interest survey; three high-level tenancy model scenarios that appear to be emerging; and, the contemplated tenant selection/evaluation process; and some anticipated next steps.
• A portion of the funding for the MacEwan West purchase has been approved. The remaining funding requests were included in the 2015-2018 capital budget cycle, which Council debated in December 2014.
• On October 27, an update report on MacEwan West Campus was received by Community Services Committee of City Council. In addition to the next steps outlined in Community Services report CR_1420, Administration will work with Yellowhead Tribal College and other interested parties to explore options for arts, cultural and not-for-profit uses to fulfill the vision of this place as an inter-cultural and inter-agency community hub for arts, learning and wellness.
• In December 2014, the City began a collaborative planning process involving key stakeholders to develop a full business and operating model, including tenancy options and a financial framework, for the facility.

Background

The MacEwan West Campus facility currently serves as the Centre of Arts and Communication for MacEwan University. Located at 10045-156 Street, the facility is co-located to the neighbourhoods of Britannia Youngstown, Canora, Glenwood, and West Jasper Place.

MacEwan University is consolidating its programs to the main downtown campus. The university plans to vacate the west campus by 2017. These plans offered the City of Edmonton the opportunity to consider purchasing the facility.

In 2012 City Council requested City administration explore options to purchase and repurpose the unique 250,00 sq. ft facility. The Community Services Department completed consultation and then developed a preliminary Business Case to inform Council’s decision-making process.

For more project details, see the Project Fact Sheet.

Consultation

There is broad community support for the City’s purchase of the MacEwan West facility.

Three community visioning sessions held in June 2012 and supported by interviews with 17 key stakeholders. The consultation report notes that stakeholder support for the project is driven by (1) the need for community space and (2) the desire to repurpose the facility and its unique features.

Consultation participants identified the purchase of the MacEwan West Campus as a unique opportunity to support the creation of a community-based hub that would support the Jasper Place Revitalization Strategy.

They also recognized the purpose-built facility offers space to support a spectrum of arts activities as well as administrative spaces for arts, not-for-profit and multicultural groups. Ultimately, this would help link these groups to the surrounding community and businesses.

Business Case

Given the results of the City’s public consultation sessions, the City developed a business case for the purchase of MacEwan West. It was based on a strong community-generated vision and guiding principles for the facility that align with strategic City goals and policies.

The business case outlined how the facility could be repurposed and re-envisioned as a unique arts, intercultural, and not-for-profit community hub. It also discussed:

• How the purchase of MacEwan West could support a number of City strategies including The Way Ahead, The Way We Live, The Art of Living, and the Great Neighbourhoods Program.
• What operating model options could be used to run the facility, ultimately recommending a City-owned and partnership-operated model.
• Why the balance of retail/commercial space with enhanced public space would be important to ensure the building remains dynamic for its users.
• How office and creative space could be provided for various groups in a way that encourages tenants to collaborate.

Agreement to Purchase

Based on consultation results, business case recommendations and their own deliberations, Council approved the purchase of the MacEwan West facility on November 19, 2012.

A city building inspection was completed and all conditions were removed in January 2014.

In early 2014, the Province approved the City’s purchase of the MacEwan West campus.

In March 2014, the Province announced $30 million in funding over 3 years to build a new Centre for Arts and Culture at the MacEwan University’s City Centre Campus. This secured the university’s ability to sell MacEwan West.

Transfer of the facility to the City is expected to take place in 2017. 

For More Information

Sam Juru

Telephone	780-442-4383
Email	samuel.juru@edmonton.ca