Dundee’s successful city centre regeneration has made its north-east neighbour Aberdeen pull its socks up.
The Granite City has cast envious eyes 70 miles south at such triumphs as DCA and the spectacular £1 billion waterfront redevelopment to be crowned by the arrival of the V&A to the banks of the Tay.
Business and civic leaders in Aberdeen felt their city was being eclipsed by Dundee and now they hope the ambitious City Gardens can bring Aberdeen out of Dundee’s shadow.
Kate Yuill, communications manager at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: ”Aberdeen’s city centre is badly in need of a revamp and the significance of this project is that it provides the catalyst to do that.
”The City Gardens will create a vibrant and innovative centrepiece for the city. They will also unlock the potential for a much-needed range of investment for other projects in the city centre including renovation work to the art gallery, one of Aberdeen’s most beautiful buildings, which overlooks the gardens, the redevelopment of the nearby St Nicholas House site and the Upper Denburn.
”When we look south to Dundee we have a fantastic example of a city which has pretty much reinvented itself and restored an exiting and vibrant reputation to an area which was depressed and run down 30 years ago.
”Investment in projects such as the waterfront redevelopment and the DCA have breathed new life back into the city centre and brought Dundee the coup of attracting the V&A.
”Aberdeen’s city centre has been in gradual decline for many years and it needed something just as significant to help turn its fortunes around and act as a focal point for long-term and extensive improvement.
”The Granite Web can do that and the challenge now for those involved in the project will be to deliver the world-class garden and cultural facilities which the people of north-east Scotland will expect and which will bring benefits to everyone who lives, works and does business here.”
The City Garden project is a controversial £140 million redevelopment of the Union Terrace Gardens made possible by a £50 million gift from industrialist Sir Ian Wood, with a further £35 million contingency for cost overrun.
The decision to go ahead with the City Gardens project was reached by a narrow majority of Aberdonians in a public vote last week.
Dundee city development convener Will Dawson said: ”I wish Aberdeen the very best of luck. Our cities are important no matter how far apart we are, and if Aberdeen needs any hints or tips on development matters I am sure we in Dundee would be only too happy to help.
”There’s been a lot of hard work by many people to create what we’re doing in Dundee, and if what has been happening here has done anything to encourage Aberdeen then I’m glad to see it.”