El Paso ISD and Medical Centers of America consider collaboration

The El Paso Independent School District voted to consider collaborating with the Medical Centers of America (MCA)Tuesday night. Superintendent Juan Cabrera will research their plan and present his suggestions in August. If approved by the board, construction on a new biomedial technology and commercialization building could begin as early as September.

MCA is proposing to develop its Cardwell Collaborative biomedial technology and commercialization building on the Jefferson-Silva Magnet High campus. The campus is located across from University Medical Center and Texas Tech University.

President of the MCA Foundation Emma Schwartz said the research facility would enhance academic programs at EPISD, especially in the STEM areas, or science, technology, engineering and math. The building will bring together researchers, students and the private industry for biomedical innovations, and in theory, could improve the regional workforce needed to create a biomedical industry. Mentoring and internship programs would be offered to students and faculty.

Schwartz also said the Cardwell Collaborative would be a world class research building on the campus, a computer lab would be built for students, and the landscaping and signage of the campus would be improved by construction.

In return, MCA will need 2.6-2.9 acres on the campus. They are asking the district to consider a long-term lease-to-purchase agreement with MCA. The leased area would include the Cardwell Collaborative building, an enclosed power generator, a surface parking lot. MCA said it will also have to demolish certain structures on the Jefferson campus to accommodate their plans.