Seekin' Seacan Suggestions

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Apply to repurpose one or more seacans

The City has formalized a submission process to accept and evaluate proposals to repurpose the seacans previously located downtown. Individuals, businesses, organizations, and community groups are invited to propose innovative and impactful ways to transform these seacans into valuable community assets. A rubric has been developed to evaluate community benefit and value to the tax payer.

Please read the Repurposing Seacans Application Guidelines below. Applicants will be asked to submit a brief project proposal online. Applications were accepted online until Friday, February 21, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Application Guidelines

Proposals for these seacans must highlight a balance of community benefit and taxpayer value, which could include financial compensation to aid in cost recovery.

Applicants must be a resident of Medicine Hat and the project must be located within city limits. Successful applicants will be advised by Friday, March 7, 2025.

🆕 Successful applicants have been notified and we are working to secure permits and agreements. Once this process is complete communications as to what groups were successful will be published.

Sign up for the contact list

If you are a community organization who would like to receive notifications when the successful proposals are announced, please sign up to the seacan contact list.

Background

On Monday, November 18, 2024 Council approved the removal of the seacans to revert the Towne Square area to a public programming area. Administration moved the seacans offsite in late November and requested public input into how the seacans could benefit the community. Read the What We Heard report for information about the initial input suggested by the community.


Apply to repurpose one or more seacans

The City has formalized a submission process to accept and evaluate proposals to repurpose the seacans previously located downtown. Individuals, businesses, organizations, and community groups are invited to propose innovative and impactful ways to transform these seacans into valuable community assets. A rubric has been developed to evaluate community benefit and value to the tax payer.

Please read the Repurposing Seacans Application Guidelines below. Applicants will be asked to submit a brief project proposal online. Applications were accepted online until Friday, February 21, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Application Guidelines

Proposals for these seacans must highlight a balance of community benefit and taxpayer value, which could include financial compensation to aid in cost recovery.

Applicants must be a resident of Medicine Hat and the project must be located within city limits. Successful applicants will be advised by Friday, March 7, 2025.

🆕 Successful applicants have been notified and we are working to secure permits and agreements. Once this process is complete communications as to what groups were successful will be published.

Sign up for the contact list

If you are a community organization who would like to receive notifications when the successful proposals are announced, please sign up to the seacan contact list.

Background

On Monday, November 18, 2024 Council approved the removal of the seacans to revert the Towne Square area to a public programming area. Administration moved the seacans offsite in late November and requested public input into how the seacans could benefit the community. Read the What We Heard report for information about the initial input suggested by the community.

  • Initial engagement information

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    10 Jan 2025

    Tell us how you can see the City's downtown seacans being used to benefit our community.

    On October 15, 2024, Public Services Committee(External link) heard a proposal from administration to move the City's seacans from downtown Medicine Hat. Committee requested this matter be considered and debated by City Council on November 18, 2024 with community input available by that date.

    If council accepts the recommendation to move the seacans, administration will move them offsite before winter and then begin to work with the community on repurposing for community benefit. At this stage, there would be a formalized submission process to accept and evaluate proposals to repurpose the seacans.

    Right now, the City is looking for public input on alternative use ideas that produce community benefit for the eight seacans. This could include donating the seacans to not for profit groups, charities, or user groups.

    How do you see these eight seacans being used to benefit the community?

    What you can do by November 10, 2024:

    1. Share your idea
    2. Comment on other ideas
    3. Upvote the ideas you agree are of high community benefit

    The most popular upvoted ideas will be shared with Council on November 18, 2024.

    Some important points:

    • Ideas at this stage are not vetted for practicality or feasibility (that would occur at a later stage through a formal process).
    • Ideas shared that are not related to what we are asking may be moderated or removed.


    What are some examples of high community benefit:

    • An idea that is open to all
    • Using the seacans for social good
    • E.g., a not-for-profit using them for community programming
    • An idea that is only open to a select group
    • Using the seacans for private profit
    • E.g., turning them into a shed in someone's backyard


    Current features of the seacans:

    • 8 seacans
    • 20’ (w) x 8’ (d) x 8.5' (h)
    • 160 square feet
    • Comes with a rolling door, a window and vent for air circulation
    • Includes two 15-amp electrical servicing
    • Includes a slot wall for displaying goods


    Examples from other communities:

    A mural of seacans
    https://conterm.ca/en/blog/benefits-used-shipping-containers-sustainable-urbanism/

    Added sidewalk seating area
    https://conterm.ca/en/blog/benefits-used-shipping-containers-sustainable-urbanism/

    Seating and shelter
    https://conterm.ca/en/blog/benefits-used-shipping-containers-sustainable-urbanism/and

    A food pantry
    https://averdi.com/5-community-focused-uses-for-shipping-containers/

    Greenhouse
    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/98797785549077678/
    First aid or emergency response
    https://www.discovercontainers.com/shipping-container-clinics/
Page last updated: 07 Mar 2025, 08:58 AM