Update given on Florentine Centre

THE district manager Des O’Brien gave members an update on the Florentine Centre at last week’s meeting.

He said that they received a number of submissions, had a shortlisting meeting last week, and had to get some clarification from some of the submissions.

A selection committee will make the final decision this week. Mr O’Brien said that they are looking at probably shortlisting to four, bringing them forward to the next stage, which is competetive dialogue. That will probably be towards the end of July. At that stage changes can be made but not later.

It’s a slow process, said Mr O’Brien, who hopes it can be done by the end of August.

He said that the companies are all excellent and any one of them would be a good partner.

Cllr John Ryan said that the process is tough and long, but it’s important to do it the right way.

He said it’s important for the people of Bray to hear that four reallly good companies are vying to develop the centre.

Cllr Joe Behan wondered if the final decision would be brought to the members of Wicklow County Council. Mr O’Brien said that the disposal of the property will be brought to them, rather than the selection of the developer. The actual transfer of the land will only happen once the development is completed.

The members will be asked to approve the development agreement. Mr O’Brien said that he hopes that will be the September meeting, but it could be October.