27 September 2004

New Christchurch City Council building a step closer

Christchurch City Council has appointed international design consultancy DEGW to develop a brief for its new civic office building.

Due to be completed by December 2004, the design brief will provide guidance to companies interested in developing a proposal for the new Council complex.

"We are open to all options at this stage, from redeveloping an existing building through to having a new one built. This design brief will give potential developers an idea of our basic requirements in terms of size, operating requirements, general location and so on," says Roy Baker, the Council's General Manager of Corporate Services.

Mr Baker says no decision has been made about whether the building will be on Council or privately owned land. "We want to remain as flexible as possible to encourage innovative proposals," he says. Possibilities include incorporating retail or other commercial space and making provision for a significant public space around the building.

Mr Baker says the Council chose DEGW because it is a proven specialist in this sort of work. DEGW will only be involved in producing the design brief and not in any subsequent development proposals.

"DEGW is delighted to have been engaged to work on this project, which we believe will significantly benefit Christchurch's central city environment, both in terms of the cityscape and economic impact," says DEGW spokesman Chris Alcock.

Some input from City Councillors has already been gathered and feedback from staff and the community will also be sought in developing the brief. Proposals for the new civic building are expected to be invited by the Council in the first quarter of 2005, with a final decision made by the middle of the year.

Background:

In its 2004 Community Plan, the Council indicated it would spend $53.7m of capital over the next six financial years to provide new Civic Offices. The decision was in response to increasing problems with the existing building, including lack of space, poor ventilation, an aging boiler, leaking windows, poorly located lifts, earthquake strengthening requirements and high maintenance and running costs.

More information about DEGW can be found at their website www.degw.com

ENDS

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