The hunt is on to find a contractor for the £77.5m project to transform Carlisle city centre.
The University of Cumbria is looking for the main contractor to design and build its Citadels project, which will see the iconic Citadels Buildings and the adjacent site transformed into a new home for the university.
It is hoped that the new campus will strengthen the role of English Street, build on the character of the Crescent and improve connections to Carlisle railway station, Victoria Viaduct and West Walls.
The Citadels project is split into three parts:
Phase 1 – Carlisle Railway Station: improvements include reducing vehicle movement at the front of the station and creating more car parking at the south of the station. The plans hope to provide for the growth of passenger numbers and improve the public space outside the station.
Phase 2 – Citadels: this involves transforming the historic Citadels buildings into a new home for the University of Cumbria, turning the university into an anchor institution and increase attraction and retention of young people to the area. The buildings will also be transformed into a destination and cultural hub for the creative and performing arts.
Phase 3 – Caldew Riverside: Carlisle City Council is exploring options for redevelopment of the 7.81 acres brownfield site to the west of the River Caldew. The authority aims to develop the currently underused site for residential uses. It is hoped that improving the accommodation in the city centre will help to drive footfall. The city council has secured £850,000 through the government’s Towns Fund to prepare the site for redevelopment.
The opportunity is open to potential contractors until September 23.
