Process to evaluate Christchurch civic offices options agreed by Council

27 October 2005

A process to weigh up options for the location and funding of new civic offices has today been approved by the Christchurch City Council.

The Council will ask the property and construction sector for registrations of interest for site options. The aim is to identify the full range of potential sites for the new building. Any sites that the Council is currently unaware of can then be added to and evaluated with known sites. A new building is needed because the current Tuam Street building is fast approaching the end of it useful life.

Officers are also finalising ownership options for the new building. These include
freehold (CCC full ownership), leasing (Council leases from an external owner), or hybrid (Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) ownership and leaseback by CCC). Staff will review the options and make recommendations, including which is likely to be the most advantageous to ratepayers.

A report on both issues  - location and ownership/funding - is expected to be available for Council consideration early next year.

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