Florentine Centre tender process gets under way
PLANS FOR the Florentine are moving on, with the tender process under way. The pre-qualification questionnaire will result in perhaps three.
The latest date to submit is June 28 with marking the following day, depending on how many there are.
The next stage is the invitation to competitive dialogue, according to director of services Des O’Brien, speaking at a meeting of Bray Municipal District.
Mr O’Brien said that it is important that a developer is committed to the project, after waiting 20 years. ‘We certainly don’t want to give it to a developer who suddenly has more pressing things on their hands and puts it on the long finger.
‘Factors will include financial contribution and period of time for delivery. Mr O’Brien said that while the hope is to have the project finished by December 2019, the timeline is getting tight now.
Cllr Oliver O’Brien said that success depends on people buying into it. He asked if there were any plans to investigate whether it would be a white elephant.
‘ There’s not a day goes by I’m not asked about the Florentine Centre,’ said Cllr Pat Vance. ‘I’ve no doubt it will be a huge success. I just can’t wait to get it up as quickly as possible. There’s a huge need for it in the town. One of the key areas people are looking forward to is the cinema.
Mr O’Brien said whoever builds the centre will be putting in €25m plus. ‘ That’s their vote of confidence. I presume they will do the marketing. We will be take hands-off approach once it’s built. Having said that, we’ve been doing some marketing.
Cllr Brendan Thornhill wondered if online shopping was affecting retail. ‘If someone’s willing to invest, presumably they’’ ll do their sums,’ said Mr O’Brien. ‘Amazon is buying bricks and mortar shops now.’