CITY BEGINS NEGOTIATIONS WITH DEVELOPER FOR TOWN CENTRE PROJECT - October 28, 2004

The City of White Rock announced today that it will begin negotiations with Bosa Properties Inc. as the preferred developer for the Town Centre Project.

The committee evaluating the proposals was impressed by the manner in which Bosa Properties met City Council's requirements for the site.

"This is a well considered and competent proposal. It contains many attractive features and meets all the design objectives of the City," said committee member Ray Spaxman, of the Spaxman Consulting Group. "Their proposal shows a great deal of planning and design ingenuity. The architectural quality of the building and spaces proposed is excellent."

"Bosa has a very good reputation in the development industry and we are excited about taking the next steps with them," said Wayne Baldwin, the City's Chief Administrative Officer.

Those steps include completing the due diligence portion of the analysis and coming to a final agreement on purchase price. Once an agreement has been reached with all parties, the specific details of the sale will be made public. Until then, all negotiations will be kept confidential.

A part of the official community plan since 1987, the Town Centre Project will see the sale and redevelopment of one acre of City-owned land (15150 Russell Ave.), as well as two privately-held adjacent properties (1471, 1474 and 1477 Johnston Road). The property located at 1493 Johnston Road (site of the Whaling Wall) is not included in the Project.

The comprehensive development is expected to include a vibrant streetscape, as well as new public amenities including a town square, open-air walkways and 60 public parking spaces. Also included in the development will be 8,000-10,000 square feet of City-owned facilities.

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Contact: Tina Penney, Director of Corporate Services
Corporation of the City of White Rock
(604) 541-2212

TOWN CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS CONTINUE - September 28, 2004

White Rock, BC-- Proponents interested in submitting proposals for White Rock’s long-awaited Town Centre Project must respond to the City no later than October 1, 2004 at 4:30 p.m.

“The City is looking forward to seeing what innovative and inspiring ideas people have for the property,” says Mayor Judy Forster. “It’s exciting to be moving forward with something that’s been a part of White Rock’s official community plan since 1987, and that will be a signature development for the City.”

The Town Centre Project will see the sale and redevelopment of one acre of City-owned land, as well as two privately-held adjacent properties. The Town Centre Project does not include the property located at 1493 Johnston Road owned by Romich Holdings Ltd. (HSBC Building). This comprehensive development is expected to include a vibrant streetscape, as well as new public facilities including a town square, open-air walkways and 60 public parking spaces.

Reviewing the proposals will be an Evaluation Committee comprised of several City staff, the owners of the adjacent properties, as well as renowned urban planner and architect, Ray Spaxman. With 30 years of international planning and design experience, Spaxman is perhaps best known for his work regarding the shape of Vancouver’s downtown. He also contributed to White Rock’s Community Plan in 1995, introducing the concept of a town square coupled with the redevelopment of the City property.

All proposals will be kept confidential until the evaluation process is complete. The evaluation will be completed in accordance with the criteria specified in the Request for Proposal. Cost, appearance, use of open space, as well as the developer’s track record, are all expected to be important considerations in the final recommendation.

Due to the sensitive nature of the land sale negotiations, the Evaluation Committee’s findings will first be reviewed by City Council in closed meeting. These findings will be released to the public at a future City Council meeting once negotiations are complete.

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Contact: Tina Penney, Director of Corporate Services
Corporation of the City of White Rock
(604) 541-2212

WHITE ROCK TOWN CENTRE PROJECT - August 11, 2004

The City of White Rock today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals to develop the long awaited Town Centre Project. The City is proposing to develop one acre of City land in the Town Centre.

In addition to the City land, the City has reached an agreement with three adjacent landowners and it is hoped that all the lands will be developed to form one integrated development.

Commenting on the release of the RFP, Mayor Judy Forster said, “This represents the start of a wonderful new development in White Rock that will see the construction of new public facilities including: a town square, meeting rooms, public parking, and other amenities as well as add to the vibrancy of our Town Centre and provide economic development opportunities for our City.”

Proposals are expected to be received at the end of September when they will be evaluated by City staff assisted by specialist consultants and legal advisors as required. The recommended proposal will then be presented to City Council for their consideration and approval. The public will also be invited to review the preferred proposal.

The RFP has been placed on the City’s website for viewing by the public.

For further information contact Tina Penney, the Director of Corporate Services at (604) 541-2212.

Download White Rock Town Centre - RFP from here

Download White Rock Town Centre -RFP Addendum No. 1 from here

Download White Rock Town Centre -RFP Proponents, August 23 from here

Download White Rock Town Centre -RFP Proponents,Addendum No. 2 from here

Download White Rock Town Centre -RFP Proponents, Addendum No. 3 from here

Download White Rock Town Centre - RFP Addendum No. 4 from here



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