MONTREAL, June 21, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Five firms and consortia have responded to the request for qualifications as part of the project to develop the Maison de Radio-Canada (MRC) in Montreal. The request, issued on April 9, had a twofold objective: validate firms' ability to meet the Corporation's space requirements, and verify their financial capacity to take on and complete the overall development. The qualification process was the latest step in the process following the call for interest, issued in the fall of 2011, aimed at assessing the overall viability of the project and validating the development scenario.
Between now and the end of August, a maximum of three firms or consortia will be selected. This will be followed in the fall by a call for proposals issued to these qualified firms or consortia, who will have about six months to develop proposed projects in consideration of the needs of CBC/Radio-Canada. A final proposal is expected to be announced in fall 2013, and work could then begin in 2014.
CBC/Radio-Canada aims to renew its facilities to address current and future needs, while offloading the financial risk to one or more private partners.
Besides the Corporation's facilities, which will remain on the current site, the chosen developer will also be responsible for developing the overall project. A zoning bylaw passed by Montreal city council in 2009 and the development agreement reached that year by the city and CBC/Radio-Canada pave the way for construction, on the MRC Montreal property, of residential units, including social, community and affordable housing, office space and retail businesses, with the emphasis on a usage mix and improved access to the surrounding neighbourhood—in short, improved urban integration.
A partnership with the private sector will allow CBC/Radio-Canada to focus on its mission of producing and distributing content for all of audiences, across all platforms.
Jean-François St-Onge, 514 597-6003
[email protected]
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