The University of Manchester has put the final procurement stage of its £1.5bn ID Manchester scheme on ice while coronavirus continues to cause widespread disruption.
The four final bidders have been told that the procurement process has been put on hold for at least eight weeks, at which point it will be reviewed in light of the spread of coronavirus.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester, said: “Clearly, it makes sense to pause the procurement process as we all adapt to the unprecedented circumstances caused by the coronavirus outbreak, but we remain committed to this project and I still truly believe we can make ID Manchester the innovation capital of Europe, providing the perfect conditions for organisations of all sizes and from different sectors to share knowledge and work together turning incredible ideas into reality.”
It is the second time that the procurement process for the scheme has run into delays. EG revealed in July last year that the university had delayed its search for a jv partner to bring forward the 26-acre site until September.
ID Manchester will see 3.5m sq ft of mixed-use space, including three acres of public realm, developed. The scheme also includes the opportunity to repurpose the 650,000 sq ft Grade II listed Sackville Street Building.
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