Council chiefs have struck a £1.46 million deal to create a “cultural quarter” on the edge of Perth city centre.
The ambitious scheme aims to re-energise the Mill Street area and attract more private investment.
Perth and Kinross Council revealed its plan to overhaul the corridor between Perth Concert Hall and Pullar House in 2014. The project will tie in with the highly anticipated relaunch of Perth Theatre, scheduled for late next year.
Now the local authority has awarded the contract for the Mill Street work to local firm Kilmac Construction.
The job, which gets underway this week, will involve upgrading the road, as well as installing new pavements, drainage and electrical works. Street furniture will also be added and vennels linking the area with the High Street will also be upgraded.
Three other companies submitted tenders for the work, which is the first of a two-phase project. The second stage, which will be the subject of a later contract, will focus on the construction of the new look Perth Theatre.
According to the project brief, the council said the aim is “to create a ‘cultural quarter’ and act as a catalyst for further private-sector investment in key development sites.”
Bidders were also asked to work with local businesses throughout the project and keep disruption to a minimum.
A council spokeswoman said work should be completed by the end of February, next year.
Phase one involves improvements to the plaza area outside Perth Concert Hall, between the east side of the Premier Inn building to the junction with George Street. It is anticipated these works will be completed by October 28.
The second phase will begin afterwards and will focus from the east side of the Premier Inn down to the west end of Boots. Traffic in Mill Street will be controlled by a one way system or traffic light control during this stage of the work.
“Apart from short closures required for road surfacing, access will be maintained throughout the street,” said the council’s spokeswoman. “Diversion signage will be in place throughout the works.”
