The Development Bureau announced today that an open tender by the Lands Department is underway for the new tenancy of the Central Harbourfront Event Space and the tender invitation will close on February 13.

The new tenancy is expected to be awarded before April and will commence in July for a fixed term of five years. The existing tenancy will expire on June 30.

While a two-envelope approach is maintained in this tender exercise, the weighting given to the technical proposal is increased from 40% in previous exercises to 70%, and only 30% is accorded to the price proposal.

The assessment on the technical proposals would take into account not only whether the events are diverse and capable of enhancing the vibrancy of the harbourfront, but also their appeal to visitors.

The fixed term of the new tenancy is extended from three years to five years, with a view to incentivising the tenant to make long-term investments and planning as well as to deliver events with due emphasis on both quality and quantity.

The tenant is required to provide, within one year from the commencement of the new tenancy and on a regular basis, food and beverage facilities with a floor area of not less than 100 sq m in the northern part of the Event Space adjacent to the promenade area.

Apart from synergising with the events to be held at the event space, the facilities would also serve visitors to the harbourfront outside the period of any particular events.

The requirement will continue for the tenant to run events for the public for at least about 30% of days in its annual schedule.

To avoid under-utilisation of the event space when no events or events relatively small in scale are taking place, in case no less than about one-third of the event space remains unused for events or is left unrented for a period of three consecutive days or above, the tenant is required to open that portion of the event space for public enjoyment and leisure activities free of charge.

The bureau has beefed up the terms and requirements in the tender documents to place a heavier onus on the tenant in monitoring future event organisers and to regularise the communication and alert mechanisms, enabling the bureau, as the venue owner, to intervene in a timely manner.

The tenant shall closely monitor the progress of event preparation and alert the bureau in a timely manner, such as whether the event is in alignment with the original proposal, whether the relevant licences or permits have been applied for and obtained in a timely manner, and whether the ticketing arrangement is proper.

The tenant and event organisers are required to hold a tripartite meeting with the bureau prior to the events to confirm the progress of the final stage preparation and the arrangements made.

The bureau said that the tenant shall organise events and manage the event space in accordance with the commitments made in the technical proposal of the tender submission.

A clause will be added in the new tenancy to the effect that if the actual number of event days held at the event space as rented out each year falls short of the commitment, the tenant is required to pay a compensation amount to the Government.

Furthermore, the Government has minimised the impact of the Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel project being planned by the MTR Corporation on the event space.

The aboveground facilities of the railway project will be located outside the event space, and the temporary works areas required during the works period will only occupy the fringe of the site, with substantial reduction in the area and duration involved.

Click here for details of the tender exercise and documents.