The goal of the Southwest Quadrant Renewal Plan is to reinforce the Historic Downtown as the “heart” of the city. The vision is that Brampton’s Historic Downtown should be the location for major institutional, cultural, commercial and entertainment uses. Development, redevelopment and public improvements are to occur on the basis of intensive, mixed-use built forms, with a street and public realm to create pedestrian friendly and transit supportive neighbourhoods.

The City requires 126,000 square feet of net leasable space for administrative purposes ready for occupancy in 2014. Beyond this initial phase (Phase 1), the City also has a forecasted need for an additional 120,000 square feet of net leasable space between 2014 and 2031 (Phase 2) for a total build-out of 246,000 square feet of net leasable space by 2031.

Dominus Construction Group (“Dominus”) was selected as the Preferred Respondent for the Southwest Quadrant RFP at a Council meeting on March 28, 2011. They are working with well-known international architectural firm - Zeidler Partnership Architects.

The Dominus solution offers: an extension of our landmark civic facility in the downtown; integration of the southwest quadrant on both sides of George Street; place making architectural elements including a new north Grand Lobby entrance to City Hall; a vibrant, animated, pedestrian-friendly streetscape with mixed-use, private retail on the ground floor; and an environment for pedestrian movement throughout all four quadrants in downtown for outdoor and public events and activities in the daytime and evenings.

The solution submitted from Dominus is based on the re-development of four discrete but related City-owned sites all within a five minute walking radius of the current City Hall. Phase 1 of the project includes plans for a new nine-storey building at 41 George Street that can accommodate: 126,398 square feet for administrative office space; 1,496 square feet for Peel Regional Police Services; 10,545 square feet for multi-purpose meeting rooms; 10,147 square feet for street level retail space; and 443 parking spaces (five levels of parking). Phase 1a includes plans for a two-storey addition to the current City Hall that can accommodate: 2,507 square feet for committee rooms; and 6,187 square feet for street level retail space. The focus of construction right now is on Phases 1 and 1a. However, the Dominus solution also offers additional development in Phases 2 and 3. Here are those details. Phase 2 includes plans for: replacement of the parking garage at 20 George Street with an 10 storey building; 130,000 square feet for a new library; 360 new parking spaces (underground); and 4,000 square feet for retail space. Phase 3 includes plans for: replacement of the Central Library at 65 Queen Street with an 8 storey building; 120,000 square feet for administrative office space; potential for additional retail and commercial mixed-use; and 340 parking spaces.

Phase 1 and 1a of the Dominus solution has: an estimated project cost, including construction, of $94 million (to be designed, constructed and financed by Dominus); a fixed annual occupancy cost to the City of $8.2 million (payable when the building is projected to be ready for occupancy in early 2014); and an annual occupancy cost, fixed over a 25 year term, at the end of which ownership of the Phase 1 building will revert to the City at no additional cost.

At its August 10 Council meeting, Council approved City staff’s recommendation to adjust or reallocate current or forecasted spending to cover the cost of this project. Council has instructed staff to incorporate the recommended financing option for the Southwest Quadrant Renewal Plan in the City’s annual budget, beginning in 2012.

Over the past several years, there have been many projects that have had a positive effect on creating a vibrant and thriving downtown. Some examples include the recent construction of Rose Theatre Brampton, the launch of Züm (Brampton’s Bus Rapid Transit system) on Queen and Main Streets and several residential development projects underway. More recent projects include the restoration work being undertaken at Alderlea and Peel Heritage Complex. The addition of another mixed used signature building in the downtown core as a key element in the ongoing evolution and revitalization of downtown Brampton – both in terms of contributing to the urban landscape as well as attracting private sector investment and opportunity. There are many benefits to be realized with this project including employment created during and after the construction period, additional parking and retail, the addition of a building that connects the current City Hall with other parts of the downtown core (encouraging more pedestrian traffic) and expected additional private sector investment.

The total expected employment impact of the Dominus solution is the creation of 931 jobs (775 direct and 155 indirect). The expected capital expenditure gains of the $94 million investment are expected to net an additional $37 million. As downtown Brampton continues to grow, this strategic investment is another major building block in the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Brampton, serving to support existing and attract new businesses, residents, consumers, visitors and employees to the downtown core.

Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2011. The City will also be hosting several public meetings throughout this project. Check our News and Events section for details. The target date for occupancy in the new building at 41 George Street and 33 Queen Street West is 2014.

The City has undertaken several steps to administer this complex RFP with the highest degree of accountability, transparency, fairness, objectivity, competitiveness and adequacy of documentation. Like all procurement activities undertaken by the City, the Southwest Quadrant Renewal Plan RFP followed the same rigorous practices and policies mandated by our Purchasing Division. During the administration of this RFP, there was a “no contact” or “quiet” period where members of the public or potential respondents are not permitted to contact Council concerning details of the RFP. This critical step is undertaken to protect the integrity of the RFP process and ensure that Council members (as decision-makers in the RFP process) are not subject to any lobbying efforts on behalf of potential respondents or the public. Again, this is normal business practice in the administration of any City RFP. Due to the complexity and large scope of the RFP, the City retained the services of an independent process and fairness advisor, who participated throughout the RFP process and has provided an independent analysis verifying the RFP’s professionalism and integrity.

When Council voted to proceed with the Southwest Quadrant RFP in June 2009, they directed staff to solicit responses from the private sector that harness its creativity and financial resources. Competitive dialogue has been successfully used in other international jurisdictions (most notably in Europe and the United Kingdom) for large infrastructure projects. It enables both the City and potential respondents to have a series of structured discussions to finalize the solution that offers the best value. Brampton is once again showing innovation as the first Canadian jurisdiction to take advantage of competitive dialogue to support the administration of the Southwest Quadrant Renewal Plan.

Throughout this project, the City will be holding several public information sessions to provide information and updates on the project. Please check the News and Events section of the website for public notices.