Jazirat AI A'ras to be developed in Baghdad

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        'caption' => 'Jazirat AI A\'ras (AI A\'ras Island)).',
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The island is wholly owned by the Tourism Board and is ready for immediate development into a multi-use resort and recreational tourist attraction.

The developer will master plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain the island as a private 'for-profit' venture, leasing the land from the Tourism Board.

The island is located on the Tigris River, approximately one half kilometer down river from the new Diplomatic Quarter, and across the river from Baghdad University. The island is oval, approximately 2000 meters long and 1100 meters wide, and is adjacent to a man-made recreational lake. It is connected to the International Zone, Karkh District, by an existing causeway on the east end and a major thoroughfare connects the island to both sides of the river on its western end. There is a small dam and recreational lake on the north side of the island.

The City of Baghdad has a depth of history and a cultural legacy that, when applied to the development, can be a basis for attracting and fostering tourism. Baghdad's hospitality industry lacks world class, five and six star resorts and does not capitalize on Baghdad's legacy as the 'cradle of civilization.' Blending 7,000 years of history and architecture with complimentary modern building techniques and designs will be a challenge to the Master Developer and those sub-developers selected for individual projects.

Jazirat Al-A'ras has a history of being a romantic getaway for newlywed couples to honeymoon and relax. Much of the population of Baghdad remembers the island as having a romantic and rich past. When developed, several of the proposed resorts will become an attractive retreat to the more than seven million residents of Baghdad and a drawing card for the other twenty-one million residents of Iraq, as well as a focal point for international visitors, whether in Baghdad on business or for pleasure.

Each competing Master Developer will submit general arrangement concept drawings as part of their proposal package. At a minimum, the general arrangement concept drawings will include: one six-star hotel; one five star spa/resort; one four star club/resort; one four star resort and conference center; an 18 hole golf course with country club; helicopter landing zone; riverfront park; recreational boating docks; children's water park; cross-island expressway; thematic shopping bazaar; a site for highly exclusive 'build-to-suit' executive residences capable of supporting eight luxury estates and ten executive mini-estates; designated space for infrastructure support; sewage treatment facility; water treatment facility; and power plant, power sub-stations, and power distribution.

The Tourism Board is a self-funded organization. Its operation is dependent upon the receipt of revenue from the lease of land dedicated to tourism and revenue from the operation of tourist related venues. Offerors will compete for the lease of the land by proposing the best use of the island, demonstrated capability and capacity, financial resources, quality of design, and lease fees to be paid to the Tourism Board, during construction and then operation. This is a private for profit venture.

Complete development of the island is expected to take from four to six years, with an estimated cost range between $2.5bn and $4.5bn. Master Developers with the financial capability and capacity, architectural ability, and construction mastery are invited to compete for this unique opportunity.