A masterplan to redevelop Dumbarton’s largely vacant Artizan Shopping Centre will be created following a three month consultancy period with members of the community.
Member’s of West Dunbartonshire Council’s tendering committee have agreed to award a contract to create a design to redevelop the centre to Fourth Street Place Consultants Ltd at a value of £68,196.
During a meeting last year, the council said it hoped to see the creation of a pedestrianised shopping precinct that can be used to provide recreational space, parking and other community resources.
Fourth Street is expected to engage with local residents before submitting plans back to the council.
Council officer Derek McLean told the committee: “Because of the levelling up fund, there are already a significant number of projects being undertaken in this area.”
A paper previously circulated informed members of the council that there had been a 100% response rate to the tender but Fourth Street Place Consultants Ltd had gone the extra mile in their bid.
Council leader Jonathan McColl said: “I am delighted with this report and that there was a 100% response rate. Out of curiosity can we get an example on the kind of things that set this organisation apart from others.”
Councillor McColl was informed that the local authority would write to each of the bidders to inform them of their score in the bid and confirm what the winning factor for Fourth Street Place Consultants Ltd was.
Labour councillor Lawrence O'Neill added: “I know a number of those organisations [who have been unsuccessful on this occasion] having dealt with them previously in Glasgow.
“Could we envisage any particular challenges to this?”
Council officials confirmed that they had been impressed with the standard of the bid but the council stood by its choice.
Gillian McNamara, of regeneration and placemaking, said: “We were really impressed with some of the tenders. What set Fourth Street apart from the other bidders is that they have really extensive experience in re-purposing shopping centres of this type up and down the UK.
“They form really interesting partnerships with the development industry. That experience impacts on the rest of the town too.”
Following the discussion, councillors unanimously agreed to award the tender.
