North Academic Commons
North Academic Commons
About the North Academic Commons
CWU is currently planning to develop the North Academic Commons (NAC), a new 108,000 square-foot building to be located in the north central area of campus on the south side of Dean Nicholson Blvd, which is the current location of the International Flag Plaza. The heating and cooling system for the NAC will consist of a new open-loop ground source heat pump system drawing from the Ellensburg Aquifer to be housed in a separate building currently intended to be located on the north side of Dean Nicholson Blvd northeast of the building site.
In accordance with Washington State Executive Order 24-01, the geothermal portion of this project was funded by the Climate Commitment Act.
View live feed of the construction in progress.
View a time lapse of the latest construction project.
View live feed of the Geothermal Plant construction project.
View a time lapse of the Geothermal Plant construction project.
To learn more about how the geothermal ground source heat pump works, watch the hyperlink to a lecture given by the project Mechanical Engineer Anthony Schoen of MW Engeneering hosted by CWU's Geology Deparment. Geothermal Energy
View our proposed Energy Solutions Report in our Capital Budget request
SEPA Documents:
SEPA Checklist
Determination of Non-Significance (DNS)
Water Rights Permit: G4-33316
Project Manager: Joe Chanes, Joe.Chanes@cwu.edu
CWU Project #: 14880 North Academic Complex
General Contractor: Garco Construction
Consultant Team:
Prime Architect: NAC Architecture
Associate Architect: Opsis Architecture
Structural Engineer: Coughlin Porter Lundeen
Mechanical Engineer: MW Engineering
Electrical Engineer: MW Engineering
Civil Engineer: Coughlin Porter Lundeen
Landscape Architect: Walker Macy
Status: Construction Phase
Project Timeline:
- SEPA Review - February 2023
- North Academic Complex Construction Bid - Late Summer 2023
- North Academic Complex Construction - September 2023 - August 2025
- North Academic Complex Furnishings & Equipment - August through February 2025
- North Academic Complex Completion - Q2 2026
- Move in - Summer 2026
- Full operation and occupancy - Fall 2026
North Academic Complex Press Release
Read more on the history, design, and plans for the future of this innovative new building serving CWU's student body
https://www.cwu.edu/about/media-resCWU News
Middle school students develop professional skills at Amazing Shake event
February 25, 2026 by Marketing and Communications
$4 million federal grant aimed at helping with school psychologist shortage
February 25, 2026 by Marketing and Communications