The housing fair and the campus project's letter of intent for consideration by the city council

At its meeting on Monday, September 11, the Riihimäki City Council will discuss, among other things, the reservation agreement between the city and Suomen Asuntomessu, as well as the letter of intent for the Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) and Hyria education campus project.

The city of Riihimäki has negotiated with Suomen Asuntomessut Cooperative about organizing a housing fair in Riihimäki in the summer of 2027. Organizing a housing fair would support the city's growth goal and highlight the city's housing opportunities. The housing fair would be organized in Riihimäki in the Koko and Jokikylä areas. The implementation of the trade fair project requires the implementation of the site plan for both areas. The plots would be sold in 2025 and 2026.

The city and the housing fair organization have been preparing the fair in cooperation for a year. As a result of the cooperation, a booking agreement has been created, which Suomen Asuntomessut has already approved for its part. After the agreement is approved, Suomen Asuntomessut will not negotiate with other cities about the 2027 fair. According to the booking agreement, the city pays the Suomen Asuntomessut Cooperative EUR 59 for the fair project planning.

After signing the booking agreement, the city and the fair organization start planning the fair in more detail. The goal is to sign a cooperation agreement in which cooperation, costs, responsibilities and obligations are agreed upon. The reservation agreement expires if the cooperation agreement has not been signed by June 30.6.2024, XNUMX.

According to the proposal on the agenda, the city government decides to accept the booking agreement and requires genuine development partnership and joint development between the city, the fair organization and the network of stakeholders.

HAMK's campus area is being planned for the Riihimäki station area

The city of Riihimäki, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) and Hyria education (Hyria) have held negotiations on a memorandum of understanding, the aim of which is to create a new campus area in the Riihimäki station area. The new campus of the University of Applied Sciences could be located either in the Matkakeskus area, in existing or new facilities, or north of Veturitallie. Construction of the new premises would take place in 2026–2027.

At the same time, Hyria would buy the current properties of the university of applied sciences in Riihimäki. Hyria's purpose is to move part of its Sakonkatu operations to the property vacated by the University of Applied Sciences. In addition, the site plan of the Sakonkatu property would be changed to partially reflect the new purpose of use.

The campus project serves HAMK's goal of significantly increasing the number of students at the Riihimäki campus and starts two new English-language education programs: Degree Program in Sustainable Urban Design and Degree Program in ICT & Robotics. These should start in autumn 2024.

In the city of Riihimäki, robotics is seen as the general education of the future, and it is taught to all children from early childhood education to middle school and all the way to second grade. The studies at the University of Applied Sciences would also offer students from Riihimäkä a natural route to utilize and develop strong robotics skills.

The city is preparing to finance the campus investment

According to the letter of intent, the city of Riihimäki is prepared to finance the university of applied sciences' new campus investment with a maximum of 7,5 million euros. HAMK participates in the costs with at least an equal share. A possible share exceeding 15 million will be paid by the university of applied sciences. There are no costs for HAMK from the soil. In addition, the city commits to developing student housing.

The letter of intent is not binding in nature. The goal of the agreement is to strengthen the common will of the operators. The boards of HAMK and Hyria have approved the letter of intent this week. The final commitment takes place in connection with the approval of the project plan no later than 31.12.2026 December XNUMX.

According to the proposed decision, the city government approves the letter of intent and authorizes the mayor to approve minor changes to the contract.

You can familiarize yourself with the agenda of the City Council on the city's website.