Contractors have been invited to prequalify for initial work on a massive commercial and residential project in Makkah.

When completed, the Jabal Khandama Development will be able accommodate about 50,000 pilgrims during the Ramadan and Haj periods. It will be built on a hill overlooking Al Haram.

Bids were due for site preparation and infrastructure works covering a total area of around 160,000 sq m. This will include excavation, levelling and demarcating the area into 90 to 93 plots that will be leased or sold to developers.

The scope of works also entails provision of utilities such as electricity supply networks and water supply, sewage and stormwater drainage networks, and construction of asphalted roads extending a total of 2,800 m.

Work on the estimated $100 million project is expected to start before the end of the year and is to be completed within 20 months. The owner is Shaikh Abdul Rahman Fakieh.

An international urban planning concept competition for the project was held between April 25 and May 1 2001. US-based architects and town planners Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company won first prize in the competition.