Eaton Fair expansion needs to be on track

It is now only a matter of weeks before a builder is selected to upgrade the Eaton Fair shopping centre.

If all deadlines are met between now and the start date, construction should start in September.

Construction tenders closed on Friday and now Citygate Properties will take three weeks to consider the four options before they award the tender.

Citygate Properties director Geoff Prosser said the business decided to use a selective tender process, in which they invited four firms to apply.

“We wanted to ensure the plans would be completed with the time and quality provided,” he said.

“We now have to evaluate the submissions to make sure they’ve covered everything.”

Mr Prosser said the firms may have provided alternate plans and Citygate would take the time to see if they fitted all the requirements of the upgrade.

“We also have to make sure the subcontractors working with the firms understand the strict deadlines,” Mr Prosser said.

There are strict time constraints on each phase of the upgrades because Coles and Kmart need to be open for business before Christmas 2014.

The construction was almost held back in May when phase one of the upgrades went before Dardanup Shire Council and the council almost decided to defer a decision to a later date.

Citygate is now relocating existing tenants at the shopping centre and installing a temporary northern entrance.

Mr Prosser said he was excited at the upgrade’s progress and the level of enthusiasm in the community.

“The inquiry rate of people wanting tenancy has been very strong,” he said.

“The next process is to develop a leasing package to distribute among those interested in tenancy.”

Phase one of the upgrades will include Coles, Kmart, residential units, specialty retail stores and cinemas.