Non-profits looking to lease MacEwan campus space get deadline extension

Not-for-profit groups interested in leasing space at MacEwan University’s west campus now have until May 18 to submit proposals after the City of Edmonton extended its application deadline.

While the number of applications won’t be known until the negotiated request for proposal process closes, more than 71 organizations responded to the city’s request for expression of interest in 2016.

An official request for proposals was sent out in March of this year.

The university is moving out of the big orange building in west Edmonton and moving into its new 40,000-square-metre structure on the corner of 104 Avenue and 110 Street starting Aug. 1.

The city will get the keys to the building on Sept. 29.

MacEwan’s former cultural epicentre was bought by the city for $36 million in 2012 with plans to turn it into an “intercultural and inter-agency community hub for arts, recreation, wellness and learning organizations.”

In November, council approved a plan that would see the city take responsibility for “facility operations and tenant leases” and during the first five years a management board would be put in place which would gradually assume the role of its operations.

The city “will support ongoing building maintenance and renewal costs.” It is anticipated that successful tenants will start to move in by early next year.

As part of the lease agreement, non-profit organizations will pay a minimum of $1 per year plus operating costs including utilities, custodial and security.

The four-storey facility has more than 150 leasable space opportunities, including space for art studios, cafeteria, dance area, recording studio, soundproof rooms and office space.

Parking at the building will be managed by a private company “with revenue offsetting building operations.”