Sir Robert McAlpine lifts new £14m Sunderland MSCP up from the ground

The frame of a the new 668-space multi-storey car park that will support businesses and residents at Riverside Sunderland is being put in place this week.  

Back in July 2021 we announced that Sir Robert McAlpine won a £14m contract to design and build the multi-storey car park in Sunderland city centre.

Sunderland City Council utilised our Major Works Framework to procure the project and appointed the contractor through a single stage further competition process. The competitive tendering process allowed the contractor to provide significant value in delivering a car park with a greater number of revenue generating spaces than originally planned and in a shorter programme – all within budget.

Farringdon Row’s new multi-storey car park, which will support the businesses and residents that move into Riverside Sunderland as development gathers pace, has been rising from the ground since April, with a concrete framework beginning to take shape and steel support set to arrive on-site. 

Groundwork to prepare the area started in November, and now construction partner Sir Robert McAlpine and car park specialist Goldbeck will begin work on the main structure of the MSCP, which will deliver over 650 parking spaces on the edge of the city centre.

Social value impact

A key driver for Sunderland City Council, the project is expected to deliver substantial social value by employing local workforce, working with local suppliers and supporting apprenticeship, training and education, to make a lasting and positive impact on  the community.

Karen Carter, Regional Relationship Manager at Pagabo, said: “It’s been a pleasure to  support Sunderland City Council with the quick and compliant appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine to deliver this exciting new development in the City centre. The contractor has placed the local area at the core of their plans, with commitments to a minimum of 32 apprentice weeks and 27 weeks’ worth of training opportunities for local people. As someone who grew up and still lives in Sunderland, I’m so excited to see this scheme start to take shape.”

Mark Gibson, Managing Director for the Northern Region at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Sunderland City Council through Pagabo’s Major Works framework on this new development that will greatly enhance the city centre and bring a host of benefits to the local community. Very much like Karen, I grew up and I still live in Sunderland. It is great that we are going to be part of the huge investment being made in the city”.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Community wealth building is a key priority of this council and we’re determined to maximise the value that our investments generate for the city, its people and its businesses. 

“We’ve been pleased to work with Pagabo to appoint a construction partner in Sir Robert McAlpine that is helping ensure Sunderland gains the greatest possible social and economic value from this £14m project.”

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