Contract signed as new building moves closer

The council sign the contract with Sir Robert McAlpine. (Front: Rochdale Borough Council Chief Executive Roger Ellis, Mr Richard McAlpine. Back: Councillor Dale Mulgrew, Paul Walker, Project Manager.)

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Rochdale’s new customer service centre, library and council office building moved another step closer today (Thursday 10 June 2010) when the contract was signed between the council and the main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine.

The new Smith Street building will bring together staff and services from more than 30 buildings – all of which would need to be significantly updated to meet future environmental standards. It will also help ensure the council can deliver the best customer service in a purpose-built environment.

Sir Robert McAlpine will start the main construction works early next year once the remediation of the riverside site, which starts later this month, has been completed.

The landmark building, due to be completed in 2012, will provide open plan office accommodation for around 2,000 staff from the council and its partner organisations. It will include a ‘one-stop’ customer service centre and a state-of-the-art public library.

Sir Robert McAlpine was founded in 1869 and has maintained its position at the forefront of the industry throughout its 141 year history. It constructed the original Wembley Stadium in the 1920s and in the last decade has delivered high profile projects including the Imperial War Museum (North) at Salford Quays, Manchester’s Chill Factore, London’s O2 Arena, Cornwall’s Eden project, Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium and the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. It is currently constructing the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.

The company has also recently completed a number of office developments in the Northwest including 1 Spinningfields Square, 1 Hardman Boulevard and 2 Hardman Street on the Spinningfields development in Manchester.

Mr Richard McAlpine, SRM Board Director, said it will be a building residents will be proud of: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for the design and construction of this fantastic new building. It will be a superb facility; a highly efficient building that will help the council deliver high quality services to residents.”

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, Cabinet Member for Development said the building will be a key step on the way to the entire redevelopment of the town centre: “It’s fantastic that despite the challenging economic times, we are able to move this project forward. I am delighted that the highly respected Robert McAlpine company have been awarded the contract.”

“There are overwhelming economic and environmental reasons why the council should bring its operations together into this one building. Many of the current buildings are reaching the end of their shelf life and would require some serious capital investment to meet future environmental standards.”

“As a result of bringing services together, there will be an increase in the number of people who will flow through this new building, which will be a great future boost to the town centre. The development will open up a new and vibrant landscape by the River Roche, enabling the river to be revived as a major water feature in the town centre for the first time in years.”

“Starting the remediation work on site and getting McAlpine’s on board is a critical stage in the development of this building and demonstrates that the vision for the town centre is taking shape.”