Revealed: film school and arts hotel to become part the new HOTA
HOTA will see a film-digital school built opposite the existing theatre building and an arts hotel on the Evandale site, according to new plans.
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HOTA will see a film-digital school built opposite the existing theatre building and an arts hotel on the Evandale site, according to new plans.
The Bulletin can reveal councillors on return to a committee meeting on Wednesday will be asked to back the plans which will see officers seek expressions of interest from the market.
The City has been approached by a university “seeking a satellite presence” with a digital education, screen and production facility.
A council report says the university, which was not been named, believed the education and production facility would “help consolidate the Gold Coast as major centre for film production”.
The key changes from the report and drawings contained in it show:
* the film and digital school would be in the car parking area to the west of the existing arts building.
* structured underground car parking would no longer be required in that new building.
* three sites including the grassed areas fronting Bundall Road could be used for parking.
* renewed interest in an “art hotel” being built on the 6ha of available land.
HOTA was earmarked for a potential $300 million upgrade but it requires funding support from both the federal and state governments.
Those original plans included a 1600-1800-seat theatre, a 600-800-seat boutique theatre, integrated carparking and new food and beverage areas.
Officers had been asked to prepare a detailed design brief, investigate carparking and make a final decision on whether to demolish and rebuild as opposed to a refurbishment of the 36-year-old existing central building.
To replace the existing building will require $295m. At least $29m would be needed for a renovation.
The latest masterplan report, which does not contain costings, allows for what officers call “allied opportunities and or partnership” with the private sector.
Recommendations include a probity officer being appointed by the City Solicitor.
Based on the probity officer’s office, council CEO Tim Baker would determine the outcome of an expressions of interests for the educational centre.
For the digital and screen facility development, officers are recommending a lease arrangement with the potential for the transfer of land to the lessee “at the conclusion of the lease term”.
“The sale option is unlikely to be suitable because once the land is sold the purchaser can do what they like with the land,” a report by officers says.
Mayor Tom Tate told the Bulletin: “It’s exciting to see the next conceptual plans for HOTA come before council.
“The proposed 2030 masterplan builds on the activation started by the HOTA Gallery, HOTA Green Bridge and HOTA Outdoor Stage. I will wait until council has considered this report before making further comment.’’
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