City centre gardens project moves forward to next stage
30/06/10
The launch of an international design competition will be the next major step in the vision to transform Union Terrace Gardens.
A majority of Aberdeen city councillors voted at today's Full Council meeting [30 June] to move the proposals for the city centre gardens on to the next stage.
In May, the full council voted to approve the offer of £50million from Sir Ian Wood and agreed in principle to send the concept of renewing the gardens to an international competition.
Today's full council meeting considered and approved a report detailing the next steps in the project – and designers and architects from across the globe will soon be invited to submit proposals for a new-look city centre gardens which will be more accessible and with a cultural centre at its heart.
Design competition costs will be met by up to 50% by Sir Ian up to a maximum of £400,000, with the balance borne by the private sector.
The proposals for the gardens are part of more wide-ranging plans to regenerate the city centre and produce a City Centre Development Framework for discussion and public debate.
The design brief for the competition will take full account of public feedback from the consultations undertaken by Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF) on its concept for the gardens. It will consider the results of the engineering feasibility study of the proposed gardens area, delivery of the project for £120–140million, walk-on/walk-off access from all sides, and compliance with the city centre framework. The brief will also take account of, but not be constrained by, the existing planning permission for a contemporary arts centre in the gardens.
The concept of covering Denburn Road and the railway line next to the two-and-a-half acre park will create a five-acre civic space. The vision is to create new "green oasis" gardens at least the size of the existing and taking account of the topography of the area, and not a flat concrete plaza.
Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor John Stewart said: "The Council took the decision at its last meeting in May on the direction in wants to take with Union Terrace Gardens. Now we have to explore the full potential of the gardens to contribute to a vibrant city centre.
"We have taken no final decisions. All we are doing is moving on to the next stage in the process. If the council is not happy at any stage, we can pull back. If the finances are not right, we can call a halt.
"Clearly there are risks – and what we have to do now is assess and evaluate them. The only way to do that is move forward to the next stage of the project. To stop now would leave us all wondering 'what if'."
Deputy Council Leader Councillor Kevin Stewart added: "This is a step forward but it is not the final step. Nothing is set in stone. It will be up to all 43 city councillors to take the vital decisions at a later stage.
"This is potentially a transformational project which could deliver a new look city centre for Aberdeen which is fit for the 21st century. We have to explore the possibilities and find out if regenerating the gardens can deliver for Aberdeen in terms of design, financing and as a key contributor to city centre regeneration."
The full council meeting also agreed to set up a Project Management Board (PMB) to provide strategic leadership for the early part of the project. It will comprise two city councillors and one member from each of the following: ACSEF, the Wood Family Trust, Scottish Enterprise, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen City Centre Association, Aberdeen Youth Council, the Aberdeen community and local property owners.
They will be advised by a range of stakeholders representing architectural, horticultural, cultural and environmental groups, Historic Scotland, Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government and Nestrans.
A Project Implementation Team (PIT), made up of representatives from the project's main sponsors, will be responsible for providing the PMB with professional advice on key early activities, including design, tendering, financing, community engagement and delivering a cultural centre as part of the renewal of the gardens.
The PMB and the PIT will be disbanded and replaced by a Special Purpose Vehicle after the initial work is complete and the project is ready to move into the planning and construction phase.
The project will be closely monitored throughout by an all-party Aberdeen City Council working group, which will also include Chief Executive Sue Bruce and senior finance and legal officials.
Councillors also agreed that a report on Tax Increment Financing will be drawn up for consideration by the Finance and Resources Committee to explain how this new funding stream, which taps into the business rates generated by new economic activity, can be used to help finance the gardens project. The October full council meeting will receive a report outlining the City Council's decision-making timetable for the gardens scheme.
The full report considered by the Full Council today is available on the Aberdeen City Council website at http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Published/C00000122/M00000372/AI00006316/$NextStepsCouncilPaperfinal.docA.ps.pdf
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 08456 080910.
