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Peoria OKs ground lease with WestMEC for career‑tech campus; development tied to bond vote
Summary
Council approved an intergovernmental agreement and 10‑year ground lease with Western Maricopa Education Center to develop a career‑technical campus on a city parcel near Loop 101, subject to WestMEC securing construction funding via a November bond election; the lease is $300,000 annually with a purchase option.
The Peoria City Council on Feb. 11 approved an intergovernmental agreement and ground lease with the Western Maricopa Education Center (WestMEC) for a planned career‑technical campus on a city parcel near Loop 101.
Deputy City Manager Mike Faust summarized the proposed agreement and ground‑lease terms. WestMEC will lease the site and pursue voter‑approved bond funding in November 2025 to finance construction. The city will lease the property to WestMEC at $300,000 per year for a 10‑year term; the first three years remain at the $300,000 rate and the lease escalates by 2.5 percent annually beginning in year four. WestMEC may purchase the property at fair market value during the lease term if it chooses.
Faust said the site is a roughly 14‑acre city parcel west of Loop 101 (presented in materials as 90th Avenue area). Staff recommended waiving non‑mandatory fees and charges to support WestMEC’s project and described the arrangement as a way to secure a campus in Peoria as the district pursues construction funding.
Faust told the council WestMEC serves about 45,000 students across five campuses and that roughly 20 percent of WestMEC’s current enrollment are Peoria residents. Council members emphasized workforce needs in the region; staff noted that some WestMEC programs, such as welding, have waiting lists and that a local campus could support industry demand from employers building in the West Valley.
Councilmember Bullock asked why a lease structure was used instead of an outright sale; staff said a lease secures the site while WestMEC pursues bond funding and gives the district options to purchase later. Councilmember Bullock also asked whether the city can actively advocate for the bond; staff and the city attorney said the city’s role is to be a development partner and to act within legal constraints on political activity, and counsel suggested the city should be cautious about direct advocacy for the election.
The council voted to approve the IGA and ground lease by recorded voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.
What’s next: WestMEC will pursue board approval and bond funding; if the November bond fails the lease terminates and the property reverts to the city.
