A specialist high-quality partner is being sought by Swansea Council to play a pivotal role in the proposed £750m development of major city sites.
The long-term strategic development partner would help the council regenerate locations such as Swansea Central Phase Two, the Civic Centre site, the Sailbridge site (near Sainsbury's and the Dylan Thomas Centre), and a large area of the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site.
Swansea Central Phase Two is much of the city centre area between St Mary's and St David's Churches; parts of the copperworks site are already reserved for development by Penderyn Whisky and Skyline New Zealand.
Other areas include the sites of the former Oxford Street School and St Thomas Station, an area bordered by the River Tawe and the lower part of the A4217.
The council will publish a Prior Information Notice (PIN) in the next 48 hours seeking expressions interest from potential partners. It will appear on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and Welsh Government procurement portal Sell2Wales. Once the expressions are received the council will consider the best way to proceed. This may include a worldwide competitive dialogue process.
Council leader Rob Stewart said:
“We are transforming Swansea city centre and we want to continue the regeneration with a great businesses partner on board.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a partner to work with the council to deliver major regeneration for Swansea city centre and key strategic sites nearby.
“Our exceptional private sector partner will help us implement an enormous programme of investment and change for the good of Swansea in the near future and for our city's future generations.
“At this time we're exploring market interest in the proposition and I'm confident that we'll get good quality inquiries.
“Investors around the world are excited by the regeneration already underway here, including the £120m Swansea Central Phase One with its Digital Arena, the £12m Kingsway improvements, the Penderyn scheme and the 10,000 sq m Digital Village for tech businesses.
“Swansea Council is a substantial land owner and we want to deliver regeneration through a number of significant and strategic sites over the short, medium and long term – and to identify further opportunities from our land holdings.
“We want to explore all options of innovative property delivery models that will deliver maximum benefits to the people and economy of Swansea.”
The new development partner will provide risk capital and the council will seek public sector grant funding if needed.
Cllr Stewart said:
“The project is envisaged to become a focus for the wider economic benefit to the City Region.
“This will result from the economic benefits stemming from construction and operation of the facilities and job creation, as well as the capabilities developed through the wider supply-chain initiatives and further regional sector activity.
“It is intended to build upon initial designs and work already undertaken.”
Existing council regeneration includes funding from the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal and from the Welsh Government.
The digital village for tech businesses planned for Kingsway is one part of the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District project that's due to be part-funded by the City Deal. Other elements of the project include the digital indoor arena and digital plaza at the LC car park site.
A recent independent review into the Swansea Bay City Deal recommended approval for the project as soon as possible. Once approved, a City Deal contribution of £50 million will follow.
Expressions of interest deadline: Monday, May 6. The council is happy to discuss the proposal with interested parties before this date.
