The Scottish Government has awarded Dundee £750,000 to help restore some of the city’s most historic buildings.
The grant will be given to Dundee Historic Environment Trust (DHET), who said the money will be used to regenerate the maritime quarter around City Quay and other parts of the city centre.
Previous grants enabled DHET to refurbish the A-listed Magdalen Green Bandstand, which has allowed it to remain in use for concerts, and to make external repairs to the B-listed Royal Apartments on Union Street.
The Trust has also awarded grants to allow repairs to historic buildings and given the community an insight into Dundee’s built heritage through their support of the Dundee Heritage Walks.
More than £8 million is being shared between Scotland’s seven cities for heritage regeneration projects to be delivered between 2018 and 2021.
The £8.6 million fund is administered by Historic Environment Scotland.
Alex Paterson, chief executive of Historic Environment Scotland said: “Through schemes such as City Heritage Trust funding, organisations best placed to understand local needs have the opportunity to not only improve the condition and quality of their local historic environment, but align projects to deliver the best possible outcomes in their communities.
“We want to ensure more of the money we spend is directed by communities themselves – by the individuals and organisations who know best how to tackle the issues affecting their communities and harnessing the energy of local people.
“We are seeing the positive impacts previous funding rounds have had on local communities, including the employment opportunities generated and stronger economies from successful commercial ventures.”
DHET chairman Ian Mudie said: “Our current focus on the regeneration of historic properties in the city centre has helped improve buildings on Dock Street, Union Street, Crichton Street, Castle Street, and Whitehall Crescent, which are the link to the ongoing multi-million pound Waterfront regeneration involving a partnership of Dundee and national organisations.
“DHET has the advantage of a local base, experience and trustees from the local community, and Dundee has a unique heritage of layers of building over a medieval street plan.
“For 2018-21 we will increase our efforts in encouraging city centre projects in the historic maritime quarter of principal streets and equally important hidden corners; encouraging regeneration, enabling initiatives and attracting new uses, as Dundee emerges as Scotland’s ‘newest oldest’ visitor attraction.”
Scottish Government culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland’s cities to lead the way in improving our historic built environment and to encourage more proactive maintenance of our diverse buildings.
“It is essential that our historic environment is cared for in a sustainable way. The City Heritage Trust scheme will help ensure the conditions and quality of their local historic environment can be improved and preserved for future generations, while bringing immediate, tangible benefits to communities across the country.”
