Ipswich City Council has already spent $6.2 million restoring the historic building. A deal is being worked out with a ‘very successful and known’ hotel operator to come on board.
THERE was one thing that stood out for me in our story this week with former Ipswich state MP Rachel Nolan and her view on the past, present and future of her city.
As she reflected on her own time as an MP, her relationship with former mayor Paul Pisasale and the dramatic changes that have occurred in the past four or five years, Ms Nolan commented that she believed Ipswich was at a critical point in shaping its future.
I’m sure this comment resonated with a lot of readers as there has been a feeling of ground zero – both literally and metaphorically – since our entire council was dismissed and our city centre was gutted and rebuilt.
Talks with retail brands to set up in the overhauled CBD are progressing and ‘significant players’ in the cinema industry are eager to take over the complex in the city centre
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IPSWICH City Council received “several” submissions from prospective tenants keen to take over its upgraded CBD cinema complex but an operator won’t be locked in for at least another six months.
The council launched an expressions of interest campaign in January to find a business to manage the site formerly filled by Birch, Carroll and Coyle.
This closed on March 12.
It seemed at one state United Cinemas would take over the facility but rejected leasing the building late last year.
The massive financial impact of COVID-19 on the cinema industry was flagged as the reason for the decision, with businesses wanting to settle on a management agreement over a lease agreement in the current financial climate.
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IPSWICH City Council’s upgraded CBD cinema complex is expected to be up and running by early next year even with an operator yet to be confirmed for the site.
An expressions of interest campaign is under way by the council to secure an operator as the Nicholas Street Precinct takes shape.
It ends on March 2. Construction of the new Ipswich City Council administration building in the Nicholas Street Precinct is expected to be completed by March.
Construction of the $95 million council administration building is expected to be completed by March with staff set to move in from June.