The £45m refurbishment of Newcastle Civic Centre could take a major step forward in the coming weeks, but the project’s completion date has been pushed back to November 2019.
Contracts are expected to be signed shortly for the second phase of the massive redevelopment project, which will see the HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) move to the iconic building.
Council chiefs say the modernisation of the tower block section of the civic centre is now 80% complete, with the site’s three other sections still awaiting renovation.
However, it is now expected that the work will be complete in winter of next year, rather than the previous target of early 2019.
The council approved plans to borrow £45m for the programme in 2015, but says that the work will pay for itself by reducing running costs for the outdated site - as well as generating a further £32m of savings through rental income.
Coun Ged Bell, cabinet member for employment said: “Due to continued austerity, we’ve seen many local authorities run into severe financial difficulties with some teetering on the verge of collapse.
“In Newcastle, despite our unfair cuts we have kept a tight rein on our budget and looked for ways to save money and generate income to protect vital front line services.
“The refurbishment of the civic centre and developing a civic quarter are key parts of our plans. By prudent borrowing, the project pays for itself and we are on track to deliver £32m of additional savings and income generation over the next 25 years as a result of this investment.
“With the refurbishment well and truly underway, we have created a modern workplace, fit for the 21st century. The modernisation programme is helping us drive up efficiency and performance, as well as collaborating and pooling resources with other public bodies, generating more savings.
“Our plans to shape the civic centre as a civic quarter are nearing new milestones with the development and refurbishment of the blocks for the new family and tribunal court spaces as well as the exciting plans to redevelop Ceremonial Way.
“This redevelopment opportunity also allows us to protect this iconic building for future generations.”
The remaining works will include a new entrance to the civic centre to be formed under the arches on Ceremonial Way. HMCTS will have its own separate entrance.
To date, the refurbishment has cost just over £10m.
The civic centre is a grade II-listed building, designed by architect George Kenyon, and was completed in 1967.
It was formally opened by HM King Olav V of Norway and is the joint eighth tallest building in the city at 200ft.
