A lawmaker has questioned the fairness of a re-tendering process for a munitions depot in Shouson Hill, which was leased to a wine storage company seven years ago without an open process.
As Crown Wine Cellar's tenancy at the Central Ordinance Munitions Depot came to an end in June, the Lands Department is inviting new tenders for a private wine club business at the grade-three historic site.
The department leased the site at 18 Deep Water Bay Drive to former American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong chairman Jim Thompson's Crown Worldwide Group in 2003, after it promoted the site to hundreds of business partners in 2000 stressing its wine and heritage policy and got no takers for two years.
But with a growing interest in heritage in the city and a site opposite the bunkers to be put up for private residential development, the depot has drawn more interest than last time.
The Lands Department was 'half-hearted' with its tender invitation as the documents provided little information for bidders, said Lee Wing-tat, the Democratic Party's spokesman on planning affairs.
Bidders were asked to refer to a 1991 layout plan of the 4,060-square-metre site, which does not necessarily reflect the current situation of the property, Lee found.
'The notice also failed to mention the temperature and humidity information inside the bunkers, making it difficult for bidders to estimate the costs and facilities needed for wine storage,' he said.