Tees Valley Regeneration has shortlisted five firms for the £170m Central Park development at Darlington, Co Durham.
The Kier Group, St Modwen and Taylor Woodrow, Persimmon and SKY, a consortium made up of Silverlink Property Developments, Keepmoat and Yuill Homes will all have their bids for Central Park considered in detail.
Central Park, an area of largely derelict land close to the town centre, is one of five major regeneration sites covered by the Tees Valley Regeneration.
The first development on the site, Darlington College, will open in September.
The remainder of the site is to be redeveloped into 300,000 sq ft of office space, 600 homes, a hotel, community facilities and public space, with improved links over Yarm Road to the railway station and over the railway lines next to Haughton Road.
Joe Docherty, chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration said: “We are now just one step away from deciding who will win the contract to bring this exciting, ambitious scheme to life for the people of Darlington.
“The fact that we have firms of this standing queuing up to be chosen says it all. The message is out there that Tees Valley Regeneration is looking for the best and will accept nothing less.”
Darlington Council leader John Williams said: “I am pleased that companies of such high calibre are on the short list for such a major and important development in the town.
“This project should bring with it many benefits not only for Darlington but also the wider Tees Valley area”
References: EGi News 05/07/06
