Published on:
20
January 2012
The Council's ongoing commitment to regenerate Alloa Town Centre, has taken a major step forward, with the approval of a £7.5million investment to refurbish Kilncraigs 1936 Building and former Paton's School for business purposes.
The Council agreed in principle in September 2010 to progress with the ambitious project which will eventually see all Council staff currently based at Greenfield and Lime Tree House being co-located at the Kilncraigs complex. This plan will see the restoration and sustainable long-term use of two of the area's most important listed buildings while enhancing the vitality and viability of the wider town centre.
Last year a Property Developer Project Manager and design team were tasked with undertaking the design and feasibility exercise and following a tender exercise, have selected local firm Marshall Construction as the successful bidder to deliver this multi-million pound project.
Council Leader Gary Womersley said: "Today's announcement shows this Council's commitment to the ongoing regeneration of Alloa Town Centre, particularly during the current economic downturn. This is an opportunity to cut the cost of running three corporate buildings in Alloa, while creating a modern, efficient and flexible working environment for our staff. It will bring new opportunities for streamlined working as well as creating and sustaining over 100 local jobs during the construction phase.
"This plan represents a huge investment in the town centre and wider local economy by this council. We have estimated that appointing a local building contractor alone, will generate a benefit of £9.5 million to the local economy. Savings in annual property related running costs are also anticipated to exceed £3m over the life span of the project."
Councillor Eddie Carrick, Sustainability portfolio holder added; "The Kilncraigs development comes on the back of the successful Imagine Alloa project which brought significant improvements to the town centre. It is also follows the opening of the new Forth Valley College campus, the ongoing work to create a modern library and customer service centre at the Speirs Centre and Alloa Town Hall's refurbishment. I am confident that our faith in the town centre is encouraging others, including those in the private sector, to invest and make Alloa a better place to visit and do business. The recently announced state-of-the-art dental centre which is coming to Drysdale Street is a good example."
Marshall Construction managing director, Scott Alexander commented, "We are delighted to have been selected as main contractor for this local prestigious project and look forward to working closely with the council and their development partner. We have a long association with the council and are pleased to have this opportunity to continue and develop that relationship. This project comes at a time where there are unprecedented challenges within the construction sector and therefore it is all the more pleasing that Marshall have been selected for this local project. This project will provide continued employment for our locally employed workforce engaged on the project as well as creating new employment opportunities in partnership with the council. We applaud the Council in their commitment to this major project at this time and look forward to delivering a first class facility and considerable investment for the local community."
It is expected that Council staff will relocate to Kilncraigs during early 2013. It is anticipated that this move will further progress the Council's efficiency strategies and result in savings such as reducing records managements costs, travel between buildings and enhancing flexible and mobile working opportunities.
The move will also reduce the Council's carbon emissions, delivering more efficient accommodation fitted out to modern energy efficiency buildings standards. It is estimated that the project will create and sustain approximately 136 jobs in the local economy during the construction phase. Marshall Construction has also committed to providing additional apprentice positions, unpaid work placements arranged through Clackmannanshire Works as well as other benefits for the local community.