MARIBYRNONG Council is set to cash in on a car park on Irving Street, Footscray, with officers given the nod to gauge interest in developing the site.
The council last week voted to call for expressions of interest from developers.
Earlier this year, the council authorised officers to reassess its property portfolio and consider selling land and property excess to its needs. One of those properties is a public car park at 40-54 Irving Street, which has about 70 spaces with users charged at $1 per hour.
If the site is sold and redeveloped, it will take the number of car park spaces lost in the CBD to more than 500, including those that will be removed as part of the Regional Rail Link project. The council said in its report it was a “an appropriate site to suit development, and is likely to generate interest from prospective developers if made available”.
Various options will be investigated, including the council developing the site, selling it to a developer with conditions on provision of car parking; or a partnership for a joint development.
Possible uses include a multi-storey development comprising ground floor retail, decked car parking, and residential upper levels.
The council’s corporate services general manager, Stephen Wall, said there was no formal position on a preferred outcome for the site and it would consider potential uses that are put forward as part of the the Expression of Interest process.
“The Footscray Masterplan identifies the site as a ‘catalyst’ site that is in an appropriate location for further development, which will also complement other developments planned for the area.”
He said the council was likely to set conditions on any development there to ensure the amount of car parking provided on the site will be preserved or increased.
“Any expressions of interest that come forward will be fully assessed so council can understand the likely cost and benefits of any proposal.”
