The City of Vancouver has put out a Request for Proposals for a consultant to conduct a review and evaluation of research of proposed plans for the Vancouver Art Gallery’s move to 688 Cambie, and the Vancouver Concert Hall and Theatre Society’s proposed 450-seat theatre and 1,950-seat concert hall.

The RFP, which was posted on the city’s site April 10, follows the February 1 council meeting at which council approved recommendations to work with VAG staff on developing a strategy for potential relocation and expansion.

The RFP requests that the consultant to “provide a comprehensive review of the analysis and research provided to date, to corroborate any assumptions made to date and re-evaluate the various positions that have been considered, within the context of current circumstances, to better inform the City’s process.”

Since the February 1 council meeting regarding the VAG’s relocation, the VCHTS has put forward a new proposal: to occupy the VAG’s current location at 750 Hornby, converting it into a cultural centre that would include an underground concert hall and theatre.

The new VCHTS gets a mention in the RFP, which requests a final report to be delivered to city staff July 15. The RFP does not give a budget for the consultation, but at the February 1 meeting, council authorized the City Manager to “secure staff and consulting expertise to complete the next phase of work at a cost not to exceed $200,000; source of funds to be the Cultural Precinct Reserve Fund.”