The Government is looking to build a new headquarters for the Department of Parks on Marsh Folly Road, according to a Request for Proposal.

The RFP, published on the Government procurement website yesterday, sought architectural services for the project.

The Government published a similar RFP for the site, near the junction with Perimeter Lane, in Spring 2021, but the project did not go ahead at that time.

The RFP said: “The Government is seeking to build a new purpose built facility to house the Department of Parks Headquarters and Maintenance Yard at 4 Marsh Folly Road, Pembroke.

“This facility will serve as the main hub for the Department of Parks administrative staff, work crews, light and heavy vehicles and storage for various materials.

“The objective is to contract for professional architectural services in order to provide a main headquarters, safe and secure maintenance yard, adequate material and equipment storage, maximise the site for all the multi-use’s, and to ensure the facility functions efficiently.

“The design objective is for the facility to be aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective, secure and sustainable.”

The completed project is expected to include the parks management offices, storage and parking for heavy and light vehicles, storage space, an entrance gate and renewable energy sources such as solar.

The RFP notes that a site visit will be available on Thursday, and the deadline for submissions will be 3pm on September 9.

The Government attempted to build a new headquarters for the Department of Parks in Botanical Gardens in 2014, but received pushback from members of the public who feared the project would have a negative impact on the surrounding garden.

Advocates against the project formed the group Take Back Our Park and submitted a petition in 2015 to end the construction work.

Then Chief Justice Ian Kawaley eventually ruled in a civil case that work on the site breached the Bermuda National Parks Act and the plan was scrapped.

The Government subsequently put out an RFP for architectural services for a new headquarters on Marsh Folly Road in March 2021.

However at the time the Government said the project may not go ahead because of the financial impact of Covid-19.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works said: “In light of Covid-19 and the monumental challenges it has presented Bermuda and the world, this Government continues to scrutinise all financial decisions.

“As such, the construction of this facility and the cost will depend on many factors, including the request for proposal process results, the economic challenges facing our country and any other more pressing matters that may arise.”