Development Bureau responds to media enquiries on tender result of observation wheel site in new Central harbourfront
******************************************************************************************
The Government is committed to make use of harbourfront sites for short-term uses while long-term development is pending in order to enable early public enjoyment. In view that the current STT of the observation wheel site in the new Central harbourfront will expire in the second half of this year, the DEVB consulted the Harbourfront Commission's Task Force on Harbourfront Developments on Hong Kong Island and the Culture, Leisure and Social Affairs Committee of the Central and Western District Council in May and June 2016 respectively on the proposal to continue the current short-term use through an open tender. Their support was obtained.
The new STT has a term of three years. The Lands Department (LandsD) rolled out the open tender for the new STT (i.e. STT NHX-805) on November 11, 2016, and the tender invitation period lasted for seven weeks. Similar to the previous open tender exercise, a two-envelope approach was adopted. A tenderer was required to include in its tender both a rental proposal and a technical proposal. The assessment criteria on the technical side included overall site design; plans for daily operation; management and promotion; ticket prices for adults, the elderly, persons with disabilities and children; and the community engagement programme. The open tender closed on December 30, 2016, and two tenders were received. The Government assessed the tenders in accordance with established procedures, and announced the tender result through LandsD's website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/stt/2017q2.htm) today. The successful tenderer received the highest score in both rental and technical assessments.
LandsD will terminate the current STT in accordance with the terms in the tenancy agreement. It is expected that the site could be handed over to the new operator in September this year.
To the understanding of the DEVB, the new operator will announce its operational details soon.
Ends/Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:52
Issued at HKT 18:52
NNNN