Significant updates on two major city centre improvement projects – a new urban park and streetscape works to the Castlegate – have been agreed by Aberdeen City Council.
Detailed and technical design along with the negotiation and execution of contracts for delivery of the construction programme are to take place for both the urban park in Queen Street and the Castlegate public realm improvements.
Both projects, which were approved at Finance and Resources Committee, are part of the City Centre and Beach Masterplan (CCBMP) which is designed to reinvigorate the areas culturally and economically, attracting people to spend time in them to live, work or visit.
Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “Aberdeen City Council is moving forward with plans for an Urban Park at Queen Street and the resurfacing of the Castlegate - further investing in our city centre to ensure that it remains a place people want to live, work, invest or visit on holiday.
“Queen Street’s urban park will create a new unique location in our city centre which I am sure people will enjoy in years to come. “
Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “This investment in the Queen Street urban park and the improvements to the Castlegate complements other projects including Union Street central, the new market building, the new playpark and events park at the beachfront, and other initiatives such as the Council’s £1million Empty Shops Grant Scheme.
“These projects all have key roles in creating a vibrant and exciting city centre for people to visit, shop, work, invest, and spend time.”
The report to committee said the urban park concept includes provision for outdoor seating and informal performance areas, a sensory garden, terraced garden and enhanced street greening.
Each space within the new urban park will perform a range of environmental and social functions, categorised into the overarching themes of urban nature, community, heritage, and arts and culture.
The scheme will have a single recognisable identity as Queen Street Urban Park. However, within the park a series of subspaces are proposed, allowing for different uses and each with a subtly different character.
Phase one of the urban park would be to the north side of Queen Street in a disused area, and phase two would be the site of the former police headquarters.
The committee also agreed the scope and cost the demolition of the former police headquarters should be sought, as developers’ feedback from market testing to date has indicated a preference to demolish the current office building and prepare the site ready for future development.
The report said the Castlegate streetscape improvements are designed to reestablish the area as a central civic location, providing a high quality space which creates a destination at the end of Union Street and encourages sustainable economic activity.
The space also provides an important gateway to the beach, be a focus for visitors and tourists, and help to deliver the city’s events programme.
The project comprises public realm and streetscaping improvements including street furniture, public art, improved lighting, enhanced street greening. An active travel route for pedestrians and cyclists will be included through the Castlegate towards the beachfront, along with vehicular access for servicing businesses.