Transformation of City Centre Streets to begin - 29 January 2007
The regeneration of Belfast City Centre takes another step forward today with the appointment of a contractor to take forward the public realm scheme.
Social Development Minister David Hanson MP announced that Farrans (Construction) Ltd had been appointed as the Develop & Construct Contractor for the first phase of the scheme.
Phase One improvements will be implemented from March 2007 on thirteen of Belfast’s main shopping streets, including Donegall Place, Castle Place and the area around Corn Market. Completion is expected in 2008/09 on an area-based construction programme at a cost of £14 million. £500,000 is allocated for commissioning of new public art.
Mr Hanson said “This is an important development in the regeneration of Belfast. The city centre is Belfast’s shop window and should convey a strong and positive message to its citizens, visitors and potential investors.
“We are aiming for world class standards in the design, construction and management of our streets and public squares. We have an ambitious strategy to make this happen and the appointment of Farrans, an internationally-recognised company in the construction field, is an important step forward in turning this vision into a reality. Inevitably there will be some disruption as the work continues but I ask the people who live or visit the city to support us as we continue the work to make Belfast a city recognised internationally for its high standard of urban design. “
Welcoming the announcement, Eamonn Sweeney Joint Managing Director of Farrans (Construction) Ltd said “Our Company is delighted to have been awarded this prestigious contract and hopes that the shopping streets in Belfast will be enhanced in appearance to compete with best city centres in Europe”. He went on to say: “I look forward to working with EDAW who are a well regarded Urban Design and Landscape Architect consultancy firm and have a proven track record in renewing worldwide city centres”.
Notes to the editors:
1. In August 2005, DSD appointed EDAW as their international landscape and urban design consultants. They have a proven track record in renewing city centres such as Liverpool, Edinburgh, Manchester and Barcelona. They have been advising DSD on the £14 million investment programme in major public space improvements in the heart of Belfast City Centre.
2. In May 2006, DSD published an Action Plan for the development of Public Realm in Belfast City Centre. It identified thirteen of Belfast’s main shopping streets that were in need of an urgent make-over with the first phase beginning in March 2007.
3. The Phase One project area includes the following streets and spaces:
- Ann Street
- Castle Lane
- Corn Market
- Arthur Street
- Callender Street
- Arthur Place
(Work will start first on the streets/spaces listed above)
- Castle Place
- Donegall Place
- Castle Street
- Fountain Street
- College Street
- Fountain Lane
- Queen Street
4. Farrans (Construction) Limited will be working in conjunction with Atkins Consultants on this public realm phase one for Belfast City Centre.
5. Farrans (Construction) Limited are one of Northern Ireland’s premier contractors and are currently involved in the Victoria Square Development and M1/Westlink Project.
6. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.
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