Firms queue up for civic site project (From News Shopper)

Firms queue up for civic site project

9:22am Monday 26th May 2008 in

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THE civic offices site in Bexleyheath Broadway is proving to be a major attraction for potential developers.

Bexley Council hosted a briefing last week for more than 40 companies which have registered an interest in the redevelopment project through the competitive dialogue process - a new EU procedure for public authorities.

The project, named Bexley First, will involve the council selling off 11 council-owned sites and offices around the borough to help finance the redevelopment of the 3.4-acre civic offices site, which stretches from Highland Road to the Marriott Hotel.

All the council-owned offices and the civic offices car park will be demolished, to make way for a new civic centre, shops, offices and flats.

Cabinet member for finance and corporate affairs Councillor Colin Campbell, who is leading the project, emphasised it was an opportunity to revitalise Bexleyheath's town centre.

He told the meeting Bexley was looking for a high quality, environmentally sustainable building, with a civic centre which would transform the way the council does business.

Cllr Campbell said: "With potential for new shops, restaurants, leisure facilities, business opportunities and residential units, the development will enhance the town centre and the borough as a vibrant place to visit, shop, live and work."

He said the competitive dialogue process means Bexley can benefit from a range of experienced developers' innovative development and design ideas.

Cllr Campbell added the council's priorities were a quality design, effective delivery of council services, value for money and "a new civic heart in which people can take pride".

Potential developers were given a summary of the council's vision for the project, its objectives and key milestones in the selection process.

It is hoped residents will get the chance to view the shortlisted design schemes at a public exhibition in January next year.

They will then be consulted in the spring on the final redevelopment scheme.

Staff are expected to start moving out of the civic offices in August and it is hoped the building will be empty by October.

The new development is not expected to be finished before 2012.