By BEX Staff for AZBEX
To keep up with persistent student demand and better accommodate West-MEC students living in Peoria, the City Council has approved an intergovernmental agreement with the school for a new campus on 14 acres of City-owned property along Peoria Avenue between the Loop 101 frontage and 95th Avenue.
West-MEC has experienced ongoing demand for its Career and Technical Education curriculum and services in the West Valley and has undertaken new campuses or expanded existing ones in Phoenix, Surprise and Buckeye in recent years.
A large contingent of West-MEC’s students live in Peoria, and the logistics of getting them to West-MEC’s other campuses can be challenging, according to reported statements from Peoria Deputy City Manager Mike Faust. Peoria is also experiencing significant growth in advanced manufacturing and related employment, and officials say the need for a well-trained and qualified workforce is growing.
Peoria had purchased the property in 2015 in hopes of drawing businesses to the location and eventually issued a request for proposal for light industrial users. Companies were evaluated in 2023-2024, and negotiations between West-MEC and the City began last year.
Under the terms of the agreement, West-MEC will lease the property from Peoria, with the school having the option to purchase the site. West-MEC will be responsible for funding and developing the project and will pursue bond funding in the November election. If the bond request is not approved, the deal will be terminated.
The new campus is expected to be ready for the start of the 2028-2029 school year.
