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The public will have two months, beginning next Wednesday, March 28, to look at the design proposals submitted by four tenderers for the Tamar Development Project.
Announcing the launch of the public exhibition, a government spokesman said today (March 22) that the public exhibition would display the physical models of the tenderers' designs, as well as presentation drawings and videos highlighting their design philosophy and key features. The exhibition will be held from March 28 to May 27, 2007. People will have an opportunity to comment on the design and aesthetic aspects of the design proposals.
"The Government has organised this exhibition, as an unprecedented arrangement, because of the uniqueness and significance of the Tamar Development Project," the spokesman said. "The exhibition will bring the community closer to design proposals presented by the four tenderers for the Tamar development site.
"The Government is still working on the tender assessment. The fact that the design models and associated presentational material are on display does not necessarily mean that they are in full compliance with all the tender requirements. The final outcome is subject to the determination of the Special Selection Board for the Tamar Development Project."
The exhibition will first be held from March 28 to April 24 at Deck Level, High Block, Queensway Government Offices, Hong Kong.
From April 28 to May 27 the exhibition will move to the Thematic Exhibition Gallery, Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
The exhibition will be open to the public at noon on the first day, and then from 10am to 7pm every day including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the exhibition period. Admission is free.
Comment cards will be distributed at the exhibition venues. People will be invited to give their views on seven key design and aesthetic aspects of the design proposals:
* Visual attractiveness;
* Symbol of Hong Kong as Asia's world city;
* Image befitting the Central Government Complex and the Legislative Council Complex;
* Impact on the cityscape and waterfront environment;
* Green features and environmental friendliness;
* Public open space; and
* Connectivity of the Tamar site and surrounding areas.
The public can also view the exhibit materials online at www.tamar.gov.hk and submit their comments via the website, by fax: 3106 3094, by email: tamar@cso.gov.hk, or by post: Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong (Attention: Tamar Development Project Team). All comments must be submitted on or before May 27, 2007.
"The Special Selection Board for the Tamar Development Project will be the sole authority for assessing the tenders and deciding on the contract award," the spokesman said.
The board is chaired by Chief Secretary for Administration Mr Rafael Hui and members include Mrs Rita Fan, Ms Miriam Lau, Professor David Lung, Mr Alan Lai and Mrs Rita Lau.
"The board will assess the tender submissions against a comprehensive list of criteria set out in the tender document," the spokesman said.
"The quality considerations which include design and aesthetic aspects, planning, sustainability and environmental aspects, and functional and technical aspects will take up 60% of the overall score, whereas the price considerations will account for the remaining 40%."
He said an independent consultant, the Public Policy Research Institute of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, had been engaged by the Government to collate and analyse all the public views collected.
"The consultant will submit a report on its findings to the board, which will take these views into account when assessing the design and aesthetic aspects of the tenders before the final selection."
Stressing that the Government must safeguard the integrity and fairness of the tender process, the spokesman reminded all relevant parties that tender evaluation was under way and they should avoid any comments or moves that may prejudice or be perceived as prejudicing the fairness and integrity of the tender process. Reports on the exhibits, for instance, should as far as possible accord fair and equal treatment to the design proposals for each of the four tenderers.
"The tenderers are also advised not to carry out any activities that may prejudice or be perceived as prejudicing the fairness and integrity of the tender process," he said.
"The contract for the project is expected to be awarded later this year," the spokesman said, adding that the project was targeted to be completed around the end of 2010.
The four tenderers are (in alphabetical order) ―
* China State ― Leighton ― Yau Lee Joint Venture
* DHK ― CRCC Tamar Joint Venture
* Gammon ― Hip Hing Joint Venture
* Paul Y. ― Shui On Joint Venture
The scope of the contract includes the design and construction of a Central Government Complex, a Legislative Council Complex and an open space of not less than two hectares.
Ends/Thursday, March 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:41
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