Builders are set to finish the crisis-hit £55 million Public arts centre - seven months after work stopped when the scheme went into administration.
Contractors are to re-start work on the West Bromwich centre with the pledge it will offer “a positive cultural, learning and regeneration boost”.
Councillor Bob Badham, cabinet member for regeneration, said today the appointment of ISG InteriorExterior was a significant step forward in getting the centre open.
The company has worked on major schemes across the country, including the BBC Mailbox, The National Tennis Centre, Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre, Barnsley Civic Centre and the redevelopment of Doncaster Racecourse.
It is hoped work will start in the next couple of months.
Councillor Badham said: “I am pleased to see that step by step we are getting The Public project moving again, but staying within the costs already approved for the project by the funding partners.
“The council is talking to a number of different organisations about their potential occupation of parts of the building and there is a lot of interest. The intention is that the original cultural and artistic vision for the building is retained.”
Work stopped on the centre in March when The Public Building Ltd - the company in charge of the project - went into administration. The scheme to open a cultural and arts centre hit problems after the cost rocketed from £40 million to £52 million last year and by another £3 million this year.
Chief executive Sylvia King was made redundant in April along with more than 20 staff.
A new business plan for the project has been developed by Birmingham consultancy DCA Consulting Ltd.
Councillor Badham added: “It confirms the positive cultural, learning and regeneration potential of The Public and its value as a visitor attraction.”
By Ken Tudor
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