The City of New Westminster will be developing the $94-million downtown project which will include an office tower above its future civic centre and underground parking.
The City of New Westminster had agreed to partner with the Uptown Property Group on the multi-use civic facility project, but the property group recently withdrew from the project, deciding against building a 100,000 square foot office tower above the city's 80,000 to 85,000 square foot civic facility.
Having deemed the office tower to be of such critical importance to downtown revitalization and economic development, the city announced today that it would be taking on the project itself.
"The multi-use civic facility/office tower project is a critical component of revitalization efforts that are starting to show real results in our downtown," said Mayor Wayne Wright. "By ensuring construction of 100,000-plus square feet of Class A LEED gold office space goes ahead, we are elevating benefits the project will bring, while creating an asset for the city."
"Council has decided to proceed with the office tower and build it according to the original design," said city administrator Paul Daminato.
The total budget of the civic centre and office tower is $94 million, which includes $41.5 million for the civic centre, $12.5 million for the parking structure and $40 million for the office development.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr was the lone voice against the proposal.
He has confidence in the civic centre that's being built, but couldn't support the proposal.
"It's a risk that I am personally not prepared to take as a member of council. I feel it's not something I have a degree of comfort with," Puchmayr said Monday.
Other members of council supported the decision, saying it would bring jobs to the downtown, help revitalize Columbia Street and contribute to economic development opportunities.
Coun. Bill Harper said he's "quite comfortable" with council's decision to build the office tower.
"Every step of the way, we're going to seek a partner," said Harper.
Harper believes the risk is worth it, given the "huge returns," such as the creation of 500 new jobs.
"In my view, this is a game changer for the downtown. It is a game changer for the city. It is a game changer for the street," said Harper.
Coun. Betty McIntosh was not present at Monday afternoon's meeting.
Council has directed staff to move forward with a public process required to amend the city's financial plan and to secure the financing for this project as soon as possible.
The city's portion of the civic centre will include a 350-seat theatre with flexible seating to accommodate a variety of productions, conference and meeting space, art studios, an art gallery, tourist information centre and the city's museum and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
While the City of New Westminster has agreed to pursue construction of the office tower, it will also continue to search for a partners.
A staff report presented to city council in October 2010 stated that the proposal provides the city with many benefits, including: employment in the downtown, which is a top priority in the downtown community plan and the Livable City Strategy (an economic development plan); property taxes that will assist in the ongoing operating costs of the multi-use civic centre; and maximizing the use of casino funding for cultural amenities.
In 2010, the city launched an expression of interest process indicating its desire to partner with a developer. The proposal from the Uptown Property Group was the only submission that offered office and employment-generating market uses.
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