PME - Cathedral & Quay Multi Storey Car Park, Exeter - Project Management and Operational Services

Description

Exeter is a dynamic and growing city with a population of over 130,000 people (which has grown by c.15% over the last 10 years). The city is the economic hub of Devon with an unemployment rate of 2.2%, 35,000 daily commuters and a travel to work area of 500,000 people. The city is strategically located on the M5, A38 and A30 and is served by two national rail lines. Exeter is home to a burgeoning economy and major employers like the Met Office, Devon County Council and the Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. The University of Exeter, a leading Russell Group university, and Exeter College anchor the educational offer of Exeter and the Southwest. The city also provides easy access to a fantastic local environment including the countryside, moor and the coast, linked to a high-quality built environment and heritage. As part of an extensive commercial, operational and civic portfolio, the Council owns and operates a significant car park estate which comprises a total of 31 car parks amounting to 3720 spaces. The city centre is served by 3 multi storey car parks which includes the Cathedral & Quay (C&Q) car park which is accessed directly from Western Way (A3015) directly to the south of the city centre. The C&Q car park was constructed in the late 1980's and at the time was considered the premier city centre car park for Exeter. The car park is owned freehold by the Council and is situated in a prominent and strategically important location between Exeter Cathedral (and the prime retail district) and the historic Quayside. Key information regarding the C&Q is set out below: 1. Construction method - In-situ concrete frame with waffle deck slab with brick facades and stair & ventilation towers. 2. Total no of spaces - 355 spaces 3. No of spaces in use (excl. permit holders) - 166 spaces 4. No of levels - 5 split-level decks 5. Payment Method - Pay and Display 6. Charging Period - 8am to 6pm (Monday to Sunday) 7. Average net annual income for 2022-25 period (excl. permit holders) - £289,098 (£1741/space) 8. Zone and Tariff - Zone 2 - 2 hours £3.40 - 3 hours £4.50 - 4 hours £5.60 - 5 hours £6.70 - All day £11.00 (pay by cash or phone) 9. No of Permit holders - 40 situated on ground floor 10. C&Q is located within a conservation area, and borders the historic Roman city wall to the east of the site The car park has fallen into a state of disrepair over the last 5 year and as a result is not fully operational with the top 2.5 decks now closed. The decision to close these decks has also led to an increase in antisocial behaviour which in turn has had a further detrimental impact on the car park's image and utilisation. Having regard to the performance of the Council's other city centre car parks, C&Q clearly has a significant amount of latent potential. However, this potential will only be realised following the car park's refurbishment together with the implementation of an active asset management strategy which addresses its medium-term operation/management and promotion. These combination of circumstances present a rare opportunity for the Council and a private sector partner to align and collaborate in identifying a solution to transform the performance of a major city centre car parking asset. The Council is seeking to engage the marketplace to initiate a dialogue and to gauge market appetite for entering into a form of partnership which will focus on optimising the performance of C&Q car park into the future. The Council is flexible concerning partnering options however key priorities include: - Identifying leading project management expertise to successfully complete the refurbishment works on behalf of the Council - Entering into suitable partnership arrangements (e.g. Management Agreement, Geared Ground Lease) which effectively transfers the responsibility to operate, manage and promote the car park to a leading private sector operator on terms to be agreed. This agreement would be focused on optimising this car park asset (resulting in strengthening the net income stream over time) and is likely to incorporate agreed KPI's and annual reviews. - Creating the conditions to optimise utilisation and income generation through a potential review of C&Q's existing tariff zoning, permit holding and staffing arrangements. The Council views C&Q as a potential pilot initiative and subject to the outcome of this procurement exercise is willing to consider the option of identifying and transferring additional car park/s into a partnership arrangement supported by an approved business case.