Talks start with shortlisted city centre developers

DETAILED talks have now started with the companies shortlisted for Swansea city centre’s regeneration.

Swansea Council has held initial discussions with representatives from each of the five shortlisted bids to redevelop the Civic Centre and St David’s sites.

Meetings with each of the bidders will now take place every two weeks before the companies are asked to submit formal plans towards the end of the July.

Swansea Council will then comprehensively consider the final bids before appointing development partners by the end of the year.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We know how important a thriving, mixed-use city centre is to the people of Swansea, which is why we’re so keen to deliver.

“We only marketed the two development sites at the end of January, but significant progress is already being made. The fortnightly meetings with representatives from each of the five bids to have made our shortlist will allow us to explore their thoughts on turning our outline proposals for the two sites into reality for the benefit of Swansea residents, businesses and visitors to the city. This will include their ideas on how best to link the St David’s site with the Civic Centre site that’s been recommended as the number one site of Welsh national priority status in a report produced for the Swansea Bay City Region board

“Our shortlist represents a good balance between regional, national and international development teams. We’re determined to get the very best development partners on board to help kick-start regeneration that will make the most of Swansea’s unique strengths and secure the city centre’s position as a key economic driver of the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole.”

A mixed-use leisure and retail destination is proposed for the St David’s site that would combine a new public square with shops, restaurants, a cinema and a new office development.  A multi-storey car park is being proposed for the current LC car park site that would include opportunities for commercial development.

Outline proposals for the Civic Centre site on Oystermouth Road include landmark tourist developments and high quality public spaces. Swansea University is exploring the potential for a hydro hub research and development facility on the site that could include an iconic aquarium.