The Medical Center of the Americas Foundation (MCA) announced last week that it would now like to build its biomedical research building on Jefferson High School land in Central El Paso. The MCA submitted its preliminary proposal to the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees last week.
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| This concept image shows what the Caldwell Collaborative may look like when completed. (MCA Foundation) |
The MCA outlines how it believes the 60,000 square foot Cardwell Collaborative will benefit Jefferson High School and Silva Health Magnet students by locating the building on Jefferson’s campus. It would require a lease to purchase 2.6 to 2.9 acres of land to work.
On the land, the MCA will construct the Cardwell Collaborative building, a power generator, and a surface parking lot. MCA also acknowledges that certain structures on campus would have to be demolished to make room for the large building.
As part of the proposal, the MCA may build and equip a computer lab within the Jefferson/Silva campus, improve campus landscaping, and improve campus gates and signage.
MCA will also create a master plan for the Jefferson campus to show how the Cardwell Collaborative will be integrated onto the property. It also states that students will be able to “tour the facility, attend lectures at the facility, intern or work at the facility.”
The MCA announced plans for the Cardwell Collaborative last year, a $30 million four story structure that will house public and private laboratory space. Initial plans were to locate the building on Tech Park land adjacent to Gateway East Boulevard.
Based on the newest proposals, MCA officials would like to have an agreement in place by August 31, 2014, in order to begin site work in September and building construction by October.