Ritchie views £8million regeneration exhibition in Derry - 01 October 2008
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today viewed a public exhibition of the £8million regeneration scheme for Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place in Derry City Centre.
The exhibition, commissioned by the Minister, illustrates a number of key regeneration proposals for the city centre. These include the installation of impressive new water features in Guildhall Square, specially created public art works and a striking canopy structure in Waterloo Place.
Following her visit to the exhibition, the Minister said: “The regeneration of the Guildhall Square/Waterloo Place area will create a high quality public space that will attract people into the city centre. As is evident from the remodelled Newmarket Street, good urban design creates better public spaces that serve all the community, providing places to meet, relax and do business.
“The exhibition will tour a range of venues across the City giving people the opportunity to see the proposals at close hand. It will ensure that the Derry public is kept informed of the improvements planned for the City and that everyone is aware of the scale of the transformation taking place in Derry.”
The Mayor Councillor Gerard Diver welcoming the Minister’s £8million investment to revamp and regenerate the city centre, said it marked a new confidence in the city’s future. He said: “The Public Realm Scheme when completed will create a modern, contemporary and confident image of a city that is looking towards a new future. The detailed construction and engineering works along with unique features will bring life and vitality to the Guildhall Square, Waterloo Place, William Street and Newmarket Street areas of the city and entice more residents, visitors and shoppers to these areas. The regeneration work is a major boost to local businesses in these areas and further supports the work being done by the Council, and other statutory agencies, to provide high quality public spaces and a vibrant urban area."
A CD showing the proposed imagery for scheme is available on request from the North West Development Office.
Notes to Editors:
- The Derry City Centre Public Realm Scheme has been brought forward by the Department for Social Development’s North West Development Office.
- The scheme was designed by BDP Ltd., in conjunction with DFP Construction Service’s landscape architects.
- The construction contract has been awarded to FP McCann, Magherafelt. Minister Ritchie announced the appointment of the contractor FP McCann Ltd of Magherafelt for the scheme, when last she visited the City at the end of July.
- The exhibition will tour a range of venues across the City including: Millennium Forum, 01/10/08, 10.00-16.00; Richmond Centre, 02/10/08, 10.00-16.00; Lisnagelvin Shopping Centre, 06/10/08, 10.00-16.00; Guildhall, 09/10/08-10/10/08, 10.00-16.00; and Orchard House, 03/10/08, 07/10/08-08/10/08, 10.00-16.00. It will remain on public exhibition in the city centre thereafter.
- Contact details for the North West Development Office to receive a CD are: North West Development Office, Orchard House, Foyle Street, Derry BT48 6AT.
- Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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