An eight-storey post-secondary facility could be soon added to Great Northern Way.
Vancouver Community College (VCC) is proposing a Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation as the focus of the new facility, with other student and administrative services included as well.
In a 2020 meeting, a report to the school's board noted the need for training in new skills when it comes to automotive trades, noting the "industry is shifting gears" and that "while the combustion engine isn't disappearing tomorrow" new technology and consumer habits will mean people in the trades will need "new, advanced and highly technical skill sets."
To that end, the VCC has submitted plans with the City of Vancouver to build the new structure at 1111 E 7th Ave; currently that property is one of the school's parking lots essentially across the road from the Electronic Arts (EA) location on Great Northern Way. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lot was used as a testing centre.
The new building, which will be built to LEED Gold and Step Code 2 standards, will primarily be an academic facility states a rezoning application. The application is accepting public comments until July 5.
