Invitation to manage Avenue of Stars

The administration is inviting applications for people interested in managing the Avenue of Stars and Salisbury Garden on the Tsim Sha Tsui harborfront for 15 years.

The Avenue of Stars has been operated by New World Development since it came into being in 2004, though the arrangement ends in April while Salisbury Garden is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

The department is inviting organizations to submit proposals to manage the two "iconic attractions overlooking the spectacular view of Victoria Harbour ... with a view to providing a synergistic arts, culture, tourism, leisure and sports public space."

There will be a briefing on what is wanted on September 21, and interested organizations will have to submit applications by 5pm on November 23.

On the department's invitation for proposals, the future operator of the Avenue of Stars and Salisbury Garden will be required to manage the two places for a fixed term of eight years before being subjected to a renewal for a further term of seven years after a performance review. "The government shall have absolute discretion on whether to renew the term upon expiry of the first term of eight years," it said.

Upon being selected, the successful applicant will be required to incorporate a "special purpose company" to act as the operator entering into a service agreement with the administration, the department said.

It said the operator will operate the sites on a "financially self-sustaining basis," as it should look for funding through fund-raising, commercial operations and donations," and all income generated should be used for sustaining the operation of the sites.

"The operator is required to provide the management, operation and maintenance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the government in consideration of a nominal service fee of HK$1 payable by the government," the LCSD said. "The government will not provide any other amount whether by way of a grant, subsidy, disbursements of expenses or otherwise," it said, adding that the administration will not be accepting liability for any deficit incurred by the operator.

While the operator will need to maintain the two sites free, it can organize programs on arts, culture, tourism, leisure and sports.

So the operator needs to "deliver programs for public enjoyment ... that help raise the level of interest and the appreciation of arts, culture, tourism, leisure and sports by different community segments."

In addition to daily management and maintenance of the two sites, the operator also needs to improve and enhance the attractions at its own expense.

Each proposal will be assessed based on its program strategies and technical aspects, which account for 30 percent and 20 percent of the assessment, respectively.

The authorities will also evaluate applicants' financial and management capacity.

An Avenue of Stars management committee will also be set up to monitor operations.

The LCSD also said the SAR administration will have the right to disqualify a prospective applicant if it has engaged in acts endangering national security.

Likewise, the service agreement with the future operator can be terminated if it violates the national security law.

AOS Management, a company under the New World Group that currently operates the Avenue of Stars, said it welcomes the invitation, and it will be studying requirements.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com