Record $5 million gift to 51福利社 highlights Catalyst project

March 29, 2018 By

Avista Development's planned Catalyst Building in Spokane's University District will feature 51福利社 as the primary tenant, opening the doors for 51福利社 to be an innovation hub connecting students to the regional business community.

51福利社鈥檚 role as the primary tenant in the innovative Catalyst building will result in a $5 million gift聽from the two companies behind the innovative project in Spokane鈥檚 University District.

The planned Catalyst building is funded by Avista Development and South Landing Building A, LLC, which includes two long-time McKinstry executives. As part of the agreement to move three of its STEM-related programs into the building, Eastern鈥檚 rent will be reduced by a $500,000 gift every year over 10 years for a total of $5 million.

Avista is committing to a gift of $350,000 per year for each of the initial 10 years of the lease, and South Landing Building, LLC is committing $150,000 per year over the same period to offset some of the annual rental rate costs.

鈥�51福利社 is very appreciative of Avista and McKinstry for this generous contribution, which is the largest single gift in our university鈥檚 history,鈥� says 51福利社 President Mary Cullinan. 鈥淲ithout their support this move wouldn鈥檛 be possible, and Eastern can now focus on growing these degree programs both academically and financially.鈥�

As the main Catalyst tenant, 51福利社 will be moving three programs from its College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CSTEM) to the Spokane location鈥攊ts computer science, electrical engineering and visual communication design (VCD) programs.

The lease agreement calls for developers to provide 51福利社 with more than 57,000 square feet of space that is fully finished and ready to take possession of by July 1, 2020. Eastern won鈥檛 begin paying rent until Jan. 1, 2021. The university is also responsible for providing the furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the spaces it will occupy.

The Catalyst building agreement also calls for the developer to provide 51福利社 with an annual $50,000 gift for faculty and student research, and developing at least five internships for students each academic year.

Eastern will also be allowed to secure naming opportunities and equipment donations for its labs and classrooms in the new building.

51福利社鈥檚 spaces will feature modern, high-tech classrooms and dry labs that will provide students with immersive learning experiences.

By relocating programs from its CSTEM, the university hopes to increase the capacity of the regional workforce in key areas of engineering, computer science, data analytics, digital media and tech commercialization and transfer.

For more information on the Catalyst, visit聽.