Attwood announces Portadown development opportunity

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has called on developers to register their interest for the purchase and regeneration of the vacant Curran Street site in Portadown.

The proposed development includes around 35 houses of which there is a requirement for 12 units of social housing. There proposal also includes some supporting neighbourhood retail and office accommodation.

Alex Attwood said: “This is a significant milestone in the regeneration of the Curran Street site. I would encourage developers to come forward as this project offers a unique and exciting opportunity to regenerate a corner of Portadown that has been derelict for many years.

“This will be a major boost for the residents of the town, providing much needed housing and business space for local people and helping to create jobs in this area of need.

“My Department has worked diligently with local representatives and statutory bodies in assessing how this site could be revitalised and we are now confident that the site will be regenerated to its best use. We are committed in setting out a powerful vision for urban regeneration and economic development across Northern Ireland and Portadown is part of that vision.”

The process to appoint a developer to acquire the site and deliver the scheme, as laid out in the Department’s Development Proposal, will commence shortly. A short-list of interested developers will be drawn up within the next few weeks and each will be asked to submit bids to purchase and develop the site. This process can take up to a few months and the Department is hopeful that a ‘Preferred Developer’ will be appointed by early autumn 2010.

Interested Developers can find out more about the Curran Street development by viewing the Central Procurement Directorate website: http://www.cpd.gov.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. The redevelopment of the Curran Street will be taken forward by the Department for Social Development’s Southern Regional Development Office, Banbridge Business Centre, 62 Scarva Road, Banbridge, BT32 3QD (028 40621730).
2. The Department of Finance and Personnel, Central Procurement Directorate “New to View” advertisement provides all tender opportunities for works, supplies and services and is published in the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and the News Letter newspapers.
3. Media enquires to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.