Developments at Dundee Waterfront [Archive] - Page 2

jeff_h

October 28th, 2008, 08:06 PM

From Evening Telegraph

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Overgate owners Lend Lease and Dundee City Council today revealed they have reached agreement for a land deal that could pave the way for a £50 million extension to the city centre retail complex (writes Bruce Robbins).

It’s understood the remaining obstacle to further development — believed to centre around access to the land earmarked for the extension — has been resolved through a partnership agreement.
Under the deal, the council will acquire various “land interests” which will be leased to Lend Lease. This will allow for the development of an extra 215,000 square feet of retail space.

Lend Lease has already received the go-ahead from the Scottish Government for an extension that would increase the size of the centre by just over 50% — the equivalent of another two Debenhams stores.

The council had previously agreed planning permission for the next stage of the Overgate’s development and administration leader Kevin Keenan said today, “I am pleased that, despite the current financial climate, we are continuing to make progress on the planned expansion of the Overgate.

“I look forward to a future expansion which will build on success and add even more to the vitality of the shopping experience that is offered in Dundee.”

Overgate General Manager Karen Stewart said, “Lend Lease has been working closely with Dundee City Council to progress the proposed extension and we are delighted to have reached this milestone.

“In this challenging market we will continue to work with our investors, retailers and other partners to enhance Overgate and realise the potential that Dundee has to offer as a premier retail destination in Scotland in years to come.”

An extension was first mooted about three years ago, but the scale of the proposal, along with other matters, meant it had to be referred to the then Scottish Executive for approval.

That was forthcoming in April, 2006, and Lend Lease and the council have since been working behind the scenes to make the extension possible.

In particular, negotiations are thought to have taken place with the Salvation Army, a windscreen replacement outlet and a Lidl supermarket. They are understood to have largely involved access to the site of the extended centre.

If it goes ahead in the form originally proposed by Lend Lease, the extension would see 40 new shops, a food hall, an extension to two existing retail units and an extra 330 parking spaces.

The project would mean the creation of 400 construction jobs during a two-year building period and 500-600 more long-term jobs.

Lend Lease is known to have been talking to potential new tenants of an extended centre for several years.

SeoulDee

October 29th, 2008, 06:25 PM

Hopefully they will start working on this soon. It will really help to complete that part of town and join the hawkhill/westport to the city centre.

McCoisty

November 6th, 2008, 11:55 AM

The redevelopment of Fatties with the "Live" bit looks great, and the Madri Gras looks impressive now its been made into "liquid" as long as they repaint it every year or so cause that White is going to fade BIG TIME.

If works on the eyesore buildings along North Lindsay Street to extend the Overgate do go ahead... along with the Casino/apartments on Marketgait that means that area is really going to look smart when all these developments are complete.

The problems are the traffic system around there is already a nightmare at the best of times, if they start this redevelopment work along with the waterfront stuff the centre of Dundee is going to become a car park for a while!

jeff_h

November 6th, 2008, 07:40 PM

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FEARS WERE growing last night for the future of a £40 million luxury Dundee housing development.

Buyers who have put down £6000 deposits on properties in the 202-flat Riverside development have expressed concern after the company behind the project closed its Dundee office.

The Duncarse Ltd office at Whitehall House in Yeaman’s Shore has been closed since staff left on Friday and buyers have been unable to contact anyone at the company.

The latest development comes less than a week after Duncarse Ltd managing director Mark Wilson said they were not planning to pull the plug on the project.

Duncarse bought the Riverside site—formerly occupied by a Homebase DIY store—for £10 million from David Hagan.

Planning consent for 202 apartments was granted by Dundee councillors in December 2005, but the application was condemned by Dundee Civic Trust and West End Community Council.

The development will create one, two and three-bedroom apartments within five blocks for more than £300,000 each, arranged over eight levels, including penthouses.

It’s understood that 44 people have already paid deposits.

One buyer last night said they were extremely concerned by the latest development.

“I was buying the flat for my mother and father who are both retired,” he said. “It’s a really nice area and they have been looking forward to moving in.

“Obviously I’m very concerned to hear the company’s office has closed. I’ve been trying to get in touch with them for days.

“I’ve kept ringing and got no answer.

“I’ve also written to them and asked my solicitor to get in touch with them. He was also unable to get anyone to speak to him.

“I put down a £6000 deposit in June. Usually it’s only £500-£1000 but we were told it was £6000 because it was such a prestigious order.”

Duncarse Ltd managing director Mark Wilson wrote to buyers on October 28 and said they were considering developments in the light of the deteriorating housing market.

He wrote, “We write to inform you that although works have started at Riverside, careful consideration is being given for the best way forward for the project.

“The credit crunch has had a drastic effect on the property market and the ability for purchasers to obtain a mortgage to purchase a new home.

“We appreciate this is a difficult situation and we hope to be in a more definitive position in the next few weeks to advise you of a timescale.”

Some workers have already been made redundant at Duncarse.

The Courier yesterday attempted to contact the company.

Calls to the office were ringing out and going to answerphone. Our reporter went to the office at Whitehall House, which was locked up and in darkness.

One man who works on the same floor as Duncarse’s office in the Yeaman’s Shore building said that staff had left on Friday and had not returned since.

Thornton’s Solicitors—who lease out the building to the company—said that Duncarse would still be picking up their voicemails and Emails.

The company had not returned our calls at the time of going to press.

Last week Mr Wilson told The Courier that rumours the company was out of business were untrue.

“We are here and we are still trading,” he said.

Mr Wilson was asked whether it was true that his staff at Whitehall House in Yeaman Shore were to be made redundant and said, “We have been considering redundancies and we have made a few people redundant.”

West End councillor Jim Barrie said last night, “It would be a big concern if the project wasn’t going ahead.

“It’s been ongoing for some years and was originally kicked out by the planning department before going through again.

“I think there would be a mixed reaction among people in the West End if this (the development being scrapped) was true.

“Lots didn’t want a development of this sort. “Having said that, is this going to be a trend for new buildings?

“I hope not. If it’s true it would be most unfortunate for the people that have put down a deposit.

“Would they lose their money?”

jeff_h

November 8th, 2008, 01:27 PM

SEVEN MEMBERS of staff have been made redundant by Duncarse Developments, the firm working on Dundee’s £40 million Riverside housing development.

Duncarse insists the development will still go ahead and says the company is just re-arranging finance.

However, fears have been mounting recently regarding the future of the project in the financial climate.

Twenty-five buyers have put down £6000 deposits on properties in the development.

Some of them expressed concern after the company’s office at Whitehall House in Yeaman’s Shore closed last Friday and buyers were unable to contact anyone at the company.

Mark Wilson, managing director of Duncarse Developments, released a statement last night confirming staff in that office had been made redundant.

He said, “Properties at the development are still available, however staff at Duncarse’s Yeaman’s Shore office have been made redundant as further marketing will not be carried out until the revised finance package is in place.”

The site at Riverside has been locked up this week with no workers on site.

A sign on the fence said the sales pod would be opening ‘October 2008’ but yesterday it remained unfinished within the site.

Mr Wilson said, “The Riverside development will go ahead.

“Duncarse is currently negotiating a revised finance package and the deal is scheduled to be completed by the end of November, with construction due to begin in December.

“Twenty-five buyers have reserved a property and continue to have a legal agreement in place for Duncarse to deliver an apartment to them.

“Duncarse wrote to all of the buyers last week to keep them fully informed of the position and we will continue to advise them on the revised timescales.”

Duncarse bought the Riverside site, formerly occupied by a Homebase DIY store, for £10 million from David Hagan.

Planning consent for 202 apartments was granted by Dundee councillors in December 2005, but the application was criticised by Dundee Civic Trust and West End Community Council.

The development will create one, two and three-bedroom apartments within five blocks for more than £300,000 each, arranged over eight levels, including penthouses.

Councillor Jim Barrie said last night he had mixed feelings about the announcement.

He said, “I’m happy for those who have been reassured that their money is safe, but if this downturn continues I don’t know if anyone would be willing to put pen to paper for others.

“In human terms this is the worst time for people to be losing their jobs and in that line of business it’s not going to be easy for people to find another job. I have a lot of sympathy for those people.”

jeff_h

November 8th, 2008, 08:47 PM

From BBC

Duncarse has said building of the luxury flats should begin in December
The firm behind a multi-million pounds luxury housing development in Dundee has promised customers that the project will go ahead.

Fears had been raised about the future of the 202 Riverside apartments after developers Duncarse shut their city office and phone calls were unanswered.

The firm confirmed that the seven staff at the Yeaman Shore office have been made redundant.

However, the company stated that building work should begin next month.

'Revised finance package'

The development will feature one, two and three-bedroom apartments, which can cost up to about £365,000.

Mark Wilson, managing director of Duncarse Developments, said: "The Riverside development will go ahead. Duncarse is currently negotiating a revised finance package and the deal is scheduled to be completed by the end of November, with construction due to begin in December.

"Twenty-five buyers have reserved a property and continue to have a legal agreement in place for Duncarse to deliver an apartment to them. Duncarse wrote to all of the buyers last week to keep them fully informed of the position and we will continue to advise them on the revised timescales.

"Properties at the development are still available, however staff at Duncarse's Yeaman Shore office have been made redundant as further marketing will not be carried out until the revised finance package is in place."

The Boy David

November 10th, 2008, 08:42 PM

Glad to see these are still going ahead - it would have been a real kick in the teeth if a big money investment like this were to pull out of Dundee just as the city has really started to turn itself around...

zipper

November 17th, 2008, 10:57 AM

DUNDEE FIRM GOES INTO ADMINISTRATION

Duncarse Developments, the firm behind a troubled £40m housing development at Dundee’s waterfront, has gone into administration.

The move, which places at risk thousands of pounds in deposits from would-be flat owners, came after Duncarse Developments failed to secure additional finance.

Little over a week ago, Managing Director, Mark Wilson said the project would go ahead as planned, despite making several employees redundant and closing the firm’s office. But the fate of The Riverside development, on the former site of the Homebase DIY store on Riverside Drive, is now uncertain.

Duncarse has been placed in the hands of joint administrators Bruce Cartwright and Graham Frost of PricewaterhouseCoopers. They will try to ensure the company remains a going concern, but have already raised the prospect of The Riverside being sold to another developer.

There is planning permission for 202 flats at the site and so far 25 people have reserved a property. They are understood to have made deposits of around £6000 each.

Mr Cartwright said: “The company has been experiencing liquidity issues and was, until earlier this week, hopeful that a third party may provide additional funds to support the business. This did not happen and, as a result, the directors resolved that the business be placed in administration.

“Our immediate priority now is to review all options for the company which will include a sale of the current planned developments to a third party who is better placed to progress the work.

“We are conscious that a number of individuals may have placed deposits against the purchase of a unit and we will be communicating directly to them as to their position.”

http://www.duncarse.com/riverside.htm

Rich_B

November 17th, 2008, 01:54 PM

SeoulDee

November 18th, 2008, 05:53 AM

Whilst its ashame that people may lose deposits etc. I personally believe that it is positive news if this development doesn't go ahead. The computer images are seductive admittedly... however if you stand at the top of steps which leads down to seabraes and imagine an unrelenting brick facade (the 3d images dont show the north elevation suprisingly) blocking out the entire vista of the railbridge, and much of the river then im sure most will agree that this is good news for the city.

If they don't build apartments on the riverfront, what do you suggest that they build instead? More big box shops? Car showrooms? Semi-detached villas? Great cities all around the world have high rise apartments at the riverfront. Any low rise building would not do the site justice. The only people who will be happy to see the development fail are the selfish, west end residents more concerned about their view of the river rather than the future of the city. It was these people who were happy with building warehouse shops there in the first place, because it maintained their view across the river.

I an ideal world, i would like to have seen taller, tower structures go up on the site, but there probably just isn't the demand to fill them.

Rich_B

November 18th, 2008, 10:09 AM

If they don't build apartments on the riverfront, what do you suggest that they build instead? More big box shops? Car showrooms? Semi-detached villas? Great cities all around the world have high rise apartments at the riverfront. Any low rise building would not do the site justice. The only people who will be happy to see the development fail are the selfish, west end residents more concerned about their view of the river rather than the future of the city. It was these people who were happy with building warehouse shops there in the first place, because it maintained their view across the river.

I an ideal world, i would like to have seen taller, tower structures go up on the site, but there probably just isn't the demand to fill them.

Seole Dee

Obviously you are of the opinion that all development is positive and no doubt supported the demolition of many other parts of dundee like the old overgate, docks, wellgate etc. for development/modernisation means. The riverside approach to Dundee is extremely important and must be considered with the up most sensitivity in terms of its design. You are correct, slimmer towers which afford vistas back to the river and provide a mixed use aspect at ground floor would be far better . This scheme is decent and would enhance many areas of Dundee like the docks etc. but as an architect/urban designer I can assure you that the negatives of this scheme (the wall like aspect of its north facade) would outweigh any of its positives (mainly a well considered south elevation). At the end of the day the massing of the development is far to dense.

SeoulDee

November 18th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Seole Dee

Obviously you are of the opinion that all development is positive and no doubt supported the demolition of many other parts of dundee like the old overgate, docks, wellgate etc. for development/modernisation means. The riverside approach to Dundee is extremely important and must be considered with the up most sensitivity in terms of its design. You are correct, slimmer towers which afford vistas back to the river and provide a mixed use aspect at ground floor would be far better . This scheme is decent and would enhance many areas of Dundee like the docks etc. but as an architect/urban designer I can assure you that the negatives of this scheme (the wall like aspect of its north facade) would outweigh any of its positives (mainly a well considered south elevation). At the end of the day the massing of the development is far to dense.

I'm not saying that all develoment is good, but the fact is that this site has lain derelict for years without any other viable proposals being put forward. If this project was to fail, then in all probability, the site is likely to remain derelict for many years to come. Apartments being built on this site IS progress, even if they are not perfect. I'm no urban designer or architect, but how can you say that the "wall like facade of its north facade" would outweight any of its benefits? That is surely only one weakness against huge benefits. It might look bad from the north, but would look good from the south. At the moment, it looks bad from all angles. It would give a much better impression of the city than what we have presently.

I like developments with mixed uses on the ground floor too, but what other uses are there for the ground floor in a development in that location? It's an isolated site on the riverfront. No shops are going to want to operate there. I can't realistically see what other use there can be for the ground floor, unless the whole of Riverside Drive was being developed all the way to the city centre. (That would be great if they could get rid of Tesco and it's waste of a car park. That is criminal).

As for the density, i don't have enough knowledge about these things to know if it's too dense or not. What i would say is that i live in one of the most densely populated cities in the world (Seoul: 29,000 people per sq. km. in the city), and it's that density that helps to make this city great. Western cities are ruined by the low density, urban sprawl. In general, i would say the higher the density, the better, to help create a more vibrant city.

Rich_B

November 18th, 2008, 06:01 PM

lets agree to disagree...but its good to have passionate people like yourself looking out for the fortunes of the dee so far away

SeoulDee

November 19th, 2008, 04:43 PM

ASDA, Macdonald Estates and NCR have today [19 November 2008] announced plans to redevelop the Wester Gourdie site – currently owned and occupied by NCR – on the Kingsway, to the West of Dundee City Centre.

The property development and investment company, Macdonald Estates, will submit an application to Dundee City Council in the coming months for a mixed use development on Myrekirk Road featuring purpose-built retail, commercial, hotel and industrial facilities.

If given the go-ahead, Macdonald Estates would acquire the land. The development would deliver a new ASDA superstore and petrol station, four retail outlets and a 100-bed hotel, modern office accommodation and a 50,000 sq.ft NCR industrial facility. In total, Macdonald Estates, ASDA and NCR plan to invest £75 million in the project.

The new retail, hotel and office developments would create up to 650 new jobs for the area. The proposals for this important Gateway site to Dundee West would create 480 retail jobs and 170 new employment opportunities linked to the hotel and office developments. In addition, during the development phase there would be a further 250 construction jobs.

ASDA, the UK’s best value supermarket, is aiming to bring jobs, choice, quality produce, and its famous low prices to the people of Dundee. Its proposals would deliver:

• A new ASDA store with a sales area of 54,000 sq.ft (Gross 80,000 sq.ft) – similar in size to ASDA’s existing store in Milton, East Dundee;
• An investment of £35 million by ASDA in the area;
• Up to 480 new local jobs, with a mixture of full and part-time positions, enabling ASDA’s colleagues to balance their work and family commitments;
• Car parking spaces, including spaces allocated for parents with children and disabled customers;
• A petrol filling station, delivering ASDA’s commitment to low cost fuel.

ASDA is an award winning employer and famous across Scotland for its low prices. It was recently named the UK’s lowest priced supermarket for the eleventh year running by the industry’s ‘The Grocer’ magazine.

Lisa Rooke, ASDA’s Property Communications Manager for Scotland, said:
“We are extremely excited about our plans to bring a new store to the West of Dundee. Our proposals represent a significant investment in the area and will generate up to 480 new full and part time jobs for local people. The new store will provide consumers with an improved choice on where to carry out their supermarket shopping, as well as bringing ASDA’s quality products and famous low prices to the area.”

“We are keen to work with and listen to the views of the local community as the plans progress and we are looking forward to extending our offer to people in West Dundee.”

Jeff McCroskey, NCR’s Chief Procurement Officer, commented:
“NCR is pleased to be working with ASDA and Macdonald Estate on this proposed development which would include a NCR investment in a new 50,000 sq.ft industrial facility.”

Niall McLean, Development Manager at Macdonald Estates added:
“This is a very important mixed use development opportunity for Dundee at a time when overall investment and development opportunities are limited. The existing plant is on a highly visible and prominent gateway site to Dundee and the scheme is designed in order to tie into the ambitious future plans that the city has for wider economic growth.”

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with NCR and ASDA and hope to continue our recent success story with ASDA in the recent developments at Glenrothes – where we worked with Tullis Russell Papermills – and Stenhousemuir, which was a Joint Venture Partnership with Falkirk Council.”

A public exhibition will be held on the proposals to allow local people an opportunity to view the development plans in greater detail and give feedback on them. A notice will be placed in the local press in due course advising where and when the exhibition will take place.

Source: Macdonald Estates
www.macdonaldestates.co.uk

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2008/11/19/story12265826t0.shtm

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Yet another new supermarket! Can't they design these things any better and hide the car park somewhere? The huge ground level car parks look awful. Why cant they go under or above the supermarket?

Rich_B

November 19th, 2008, 09:13 PM

Seoul Dee...are you a dundee planning officer's love child?

jeff_h

December 3rd, 2008, 12:06 PM

REPORT TO: PLANNING & TRANSPORT COMMITTEE - 8 DECEMBER 2008

This report considers the need to alter the traffic movements in the Gellatly Street/Trades Lane area to cater for the alterations to the road network as part of the Central Waterfront Development. It is recommended that the Committee approve the preparation of a Traffic Regulation Order and Conversion to Footpath Order to vary the traffic movements in the area as part of the development. The costs in preparation of these Orders are minimal and will be contained within the Cities Growth Fund

As part of the Central Waterfront Development the junctions of South Marketgait with Gellatly Street, Trades Lane and the entrance to City Quay are to be redesigned. Gellatly Street currently leads onto Dock Street and subsequently Commercial Street. Under the new layout it will access directly onto South Marketgait. This will require a length of Dock Street to be converted to footpath as access will be denied to Gellatly Street. The existing dual carriageway Order will ensure that southbound traffic in Gellatly Street will only be able to travel eastwards on South Marketgait.

The creation of a full signalised junction at South Marketgait to and from City Quay (opposite Trades Lane) and Trades Lane which will include a pedestrian crossing at its southern end will result in severe capacity problems if Trades Lane were to remain two-way at the junction. It is recommended that Trades Lane be made one-way northwards between its junctions with South Marketgait and Allan Lane. It cannot be made one-way over its entire length because buses require to gain access to the bus station from the north.

Any other large vehicle entering Trades Lane from the north has no place to turn as Allan Lane and Candle Lane are unsuitable for large vehicles. It is therefore recommended that Allan Lane and Candle Lane be subject to a Prohibition of Heavy Goods Vehicles over their entire lengths and also that Heavy Goods Vehicles be prohibited from entering Trades Lane from the north.

t is also proposed to close the junction of Candle Lane with South Marketgait to vehicular traffic. In order to achieve this it is recommended that a short length of Candle Lane at the junction be converted to footpath. A new loading lay-by is to be created on the north side of South Marketgait between
Gellatly Street and Trades Lane. Also, the waiting restrictions in the remaining length of Dock Street east of Commercial Street will be altered as a result of the new layout. The relevant orders will need to be varied to take this into account as well as any other descriptive changes found to be necessary. The opportunity can also be taken to review the parking in Trades Lane to determine if any additional parking can be provided in the one-way length. To improve access to Gellatly street, it is proposed to revert the existing one way length at the north end to two way traffic.

GlasgowMan

December 5th, 2008, 05:35 PM

FlyBe have added a new twice weekly flight from Dundee to Jersey.

Flights till operate in the summer only.

*Rumours* also suggest FlyBe could be looking into launching a Dundee to Gatwick flight, possibly 3x daily, but this is just a rumour at the moment.

jeff_h

December 12th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Courtesy of the Evening Telegraph

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The Muir Group has been awarded an £11.7m contract to build a Grade A office complex in Dundee, it was announced today (writes David Clegg).

In a move that will be welcomed as evidence the city is weathering the credit crunch, Muir has been appointed by the Unicorn Property Group to build the development on the banks of the Tay.

The DundeeOne complex, which Unicorn says will address the city centre’s shortage of high-class office space, will be completed by spring 2010.

It will consist of two buildings, River Court and City Court, and the Scottish Police Services Authority has already leased one of the blocks for a forensics lab.

The development forms part of the Dundee Central Waterfront Division, with planning permission granted in August 2007, and work has now begun on site.

It was revealed today that the Fife-based Muir Group will deliver City Court to “shell stage” by January 2010, allowing the specialist fit-out of the forensics lab by the end of March that year.

Once this is complete, The Muir Group will complete the build and begin the fit-out of River Court.

Kevin Keenan, leader of Dundee City Council, said, “The announcement of a contractor to build these two major office buildings at the waterfront is a positive signal that work will continue on the development of this key part of our city's regeneration.

“It has already been confirmed as the location of the police forensics lab, which is, in itself, great news for the city, and strengthens our ambitious plans for the redevelop- ment of Dundee’s Central Waterfront.”

Unicorn director Steven Garry said, “Muir Construction demon- strated during the tendering process that they are the right company to deliver these two buildings.

“DundeeOne is of tremendous importance to Dundee, which needs new, top-quality office space for the growing number of organizations interested in the city’s talented labour pool.

“The Muir Group are the right people for this job.”

Alan Muir, of Muir Construction, added, “Our selection as contractor for this major project at the start of an uncertain year for our industry is fantastic news.

“This development will enhance Dundee’s city centre and waterfront, creating new and exciting opportunities for the town and creating a vibrant destination for business.

“As a major business located in east central Scotland we are delighted to be making a contribution to the regeneration of Dundee.”

Unicorn is marketing the office space through agents Graham and Sibbald and Montagu Evans and welcome pre-lettings and sales for the office space.

The development will be available for occupation in mid-2010.

jeff_h

December 12th, 2008, 07:36 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/3087957538_af823a2b1a_o.jpg
Whitehall Street looking toward High Street - The Overgate Centre occupies the tenements in the distance.
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Wellgate prior to the 3 level shopping centre of the late 70s/80s, the large 6 story building in the distance still exists at the corner of murraygate/cowgate
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Old Overgate as a narrow street prior to old and new shopping centre's being built as you can see in 2nd pic
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Overgate towards West Port pretty much all gone!
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Dundee West Station from Whitehall Street sadly demolished mid 60s
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Whitehall Cresent and rear of Caird Hall looking at bus terminis - all remain
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Lindsay Street (only north end exists now) eaten up by both Overgate developments
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Cracking tenements at bottom of Hilltown leading into Wellgate - all gone now swallowed up by Wellgate shopping centre
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Looking along Nethergate - the north side of the road all gone upto the St Enoch Church spires - also demolished
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/3087952926_ac056e0292_o.jpg
St Enoch Church standing approximitely to the north and east of the Deep Sea restaurant - swallowed up by Overgate development even though it was on opposite side of the road - personal favourite of mine - would like to know more about its history!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3087111239_43c370ab52_o.jpg
West Port - left side of the road all gone
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Victoria Road - left side all gone looking down towards Hilltown and Wellgate
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High Street - left side all gone in old and new Overgate development
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Murraygate towards Wellgate - gladly this remains!
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Chricton Street towards High Street - High Street buildings demolished by Overgate old and new
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Panmure Street/Cowgate - left side of street demolished for Wellgate shopping Centre
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/3087943896_4be1d5ae17_o.jpg
Eastern Club (middle) sadly gone from Albert Square - again a fine building removed

Great pics! been reading Charles Mckean's new book. Its true that Dundee truly did remove its medieval core between 1871 and 1964 - probably would have rivalled Edinburgh if it had remained. Enjoy!

Monkey9000

December 12th, 2008, 10:31 PM

^^ Good Grief we certainly seem to know know how to destroy cities in Scotland. How about we all go and give Edinburgh a good bulldozing?

GlasgowMan

December 13th, 2008, 03:54 AM

^^ Good Grief we certainly seem to know know how to destroy cities in Scotland. How about we all go and give Edinburgh a good bulldozing?

Dont tempt me :lol: anyone on here that knows me, knows I will be the first to attent any bulldozing fo that town :lol:

gothicform

December 13th, 2008, 09:34 AM

i can't believe it... they actually demolished all that stuff???? they were totally utterly insane. central dundee looked a nice human place with some decent architecture, good airy streets and so on but i cant believe they actually demolished most of that stuff. tragic.

Rich_B

December 15th, 2008, 04:31 PM

unbelievably tragic. what the nazis did to coventry the local authorities here did to dundee. had medieval dundee not been destroyed it would have been one the most beautiful cities in northern europe and as jeff said would rival edinburgh

jeff_h

December 16th, 2008, 09:24 AM

From BBC

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/1775016841_d067b6f3f2_o.jpg

A historic clock in the centre of Dundee will start chiming again for the first time in almost 70 years.

In 1939, the ringing of bells was forbidden as that was the signal that Britain was being invaded.

The Old Steeple bells were disconnected and it was not until 2005 that work began to get the chimes running again.

Parts have been sourced from the US and Europe and from midday the clock in the Nethergate will chime on the quarter hour, with a full peal on the hour.

Dundee-based Xm Services worked free of charge to re-weigh the bells and cast the correct hammers as a way of giving back to the city.

Innes Duffus, archivist for the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee, said: "This is a tremendous day for the city.

"It goes back to when the Steeple was built in 1480 and there was always a clock on the Old Steeple.

"It only had one face and that would be the face pointing towards St Mary's Church in the city centre because, of course, the steeple was on the very burgh walls and there was no need for a face on the other side.

"It would probably have been the only clock in Dundee, certainly the only one the public could see at that time. The only other thing was the sundial down at the dock."

The chimes, which are controlled electronically, will begin chiming at midday on Tuesday and after that sound between 0700 GMT and run through to 2300GMT each day.

[I think this is great!. I have also noticed that the Clocktower at the docks has had its clock restored to working order and it was lit up last niught for the first time!]

maccoinnich

December 16th, 2008, 01:53 PM

http://www.benjaminkabak.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/save_the_clock_tower.jpg

tongue_tied_danny

December 17th, 2008, 07:29 PM

I found this interesting pic of the Caird Hall.

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/dundee/CMS4-1-17(29)Moskva.jpg

This was taken when Dundee doubled as Moscow in the film "An Englishman Abroad". I also believe that the Whitfield Multis were used in the film.

It certainly looks better than the current xmas decorations in City Square.

jeff_h

December 19th, 2008, 01:26 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7789474.stm

An "eco-sculpture" which can turn toxic gasses from cars back into oxygen and nitrates has been unveiled in Dundee.

The public artwork, entitled Catalyst, is a life-size model of a car draped in a sheet.

It has been installed near Greenmarket Car Park and Sensation science centre and was created by city-based artists Louise Scullion and Matthew Dalziel.

It is believed that this is the first time the concrete which can convert the pollutants has been used in the UK.

It contains catalytic titanium dioxide which reacts with light and triggers nitric oxides, carbon monoxide and sulphur monoxide to break apart.

Materials such as nitrates would then drain off with the next rainfall into the soil for plants to use.

Mr Dalziel said: "The material was originally developed for use on pavements in congested urban areas to improve air quality.

"Catalyst points the way to how cities with notoriously bad air quality, from Los Angeles to Athens and Beijing, could, in the short term, mitigate some of the worst effects of airborne pollutants.

"At the same time we recognize it is typical of human endeavour to focus on mitigating the impact rather than addressing the cause of our environmental problems.

"However, the material offers a practical means of addressing air quality in the short term, as we collectively work to address the bigger issues relating to environmental sustainability."

Ms Scullion added: "Ecological issues have been becoming increasingly important on the political agenda in recent years and interest in environmental sustainability is no longer confined to specialists.

"Our generation will play a critical role in addressing the ecological challenges of global warming and climate change."

jeff_h

December 20th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Dundee City Council News Release :

A groundbreaking new public artwork entitled 'CATALYST' is to be unveiled outside the Greenmarket Car Park in Dundee on Thursday (18) by broadcaster Lesley Riddoch.

The sculpture, designed by local based artists Matthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion, was commissioned by Dundee City Council and Dundee Contemporary Arts as part of the construction of the multi storey car park. It has taken two years to make and is the first of its kind in the UK and is also the first major public art piece for the cultural quarter in Dundee.

Also at the unveiling will be planning and transport convener Fraser Macpherson, Mike Galloway DCC director of planning, planning staff and the artists. Councillor Macpherson said "Public art has been an important part of the positive changes Dundee has undergone in the last 20 years. Many forget that Dundee was one of the very first cities in the UK to take public art seriously, and since 1982, has installed well over a hundred works throughout the city, creating interest and excitement in the environment. It is great to this continuing with a new exciting work by local artists Dalziel and Scullion."

Scottish artists Dalziel and Scullion explore the subject of ecology in many of their artworks and came across a type of concrete material that reacts with light to trigger the molecules of air borne pollutants, such as nitric oxides, carbon monoxide and sulphur monoxide to break apart and release oxygen back into the air.

Matthew said "This is the first time the material has been used in the UK. Not only does it perform this interesting transformation of the air, but used in this context, it also questions the greater influence that human behaviour is having on the Earth's climate and its ecosystems. It was originally formulated to be used as paving in congested urban areas to improve air quality, and while on one hand we were excited by this material as an imaginative solution to repair a social dilemma, we also recognised that it was typical of human invention to focus on the effect rather than the cause"

Catalyst takes the form of a life-sized car that is draped in a cloth, presented on an angled plinth inscribed with a scientific formula of the catalytic chemistry which is silently at work as the air around the car is in a continual state of change and transformation.

Louise Scullion said "It's an interesting time to be working as artists as it feels like there is a change in the air. In the wake of the current financial crisis, consumerism has never been more examined, and at a time ecological issues have taken a much more central position in our consciousness, environmental sustainability is no longer the topic of specialists and most people now recognise that our generation will play a critical role in shaping and adapting to an uncertain future."

Scotsman article
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/features/The-car39s-the-star.4803329.jp

Rich_B

December 29th, 2008, 12:55 PM

V and A Museum

Museum in Dundee could make “millions”
By Stefan Morkis
OPENING A Dundee branch of the world-renowned Victoria and Albert Museum would create hundreds of jobs and bring millions of pounds into the local economy, a feasibility study has found.

It is hoped that the museum—the V&A’s first outside London—would revitalise Dundee in the same way as Bilbao after New York’s Guggenheim Museum opened a franchise there in 1997.

The project was announced 18 months ago and the museum would be housed in a bespoke building on Dundee’s waterfront.

It would host two exhibitions a year as well as collections from the V&A in London, which is considered the world’s premier museum of art and design.

Consultants Whetstone Group and Conran & Partners have completed a feasibility study and estimate the museum would create nearly 900 jobs, bring around 130,000 tourists to Dundee every year by 2015 and earn millions for the economy.

Dundee MSPs Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick have been working to gain support for the plans and attended a meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond in October when he was briefed on the proposal.

Mr Salmond said, “This is a very interesting idea with lots of potential and I know Dundee’s MSPs are working very hard on it.”

V&A director Mark Jones has also said he is enthusiastic about the plans.

“Dundee is a very interesting city with a creative track record and, by providing exciting exhibitions, I think it could make a difference,” he said.

The museum is likely to be a joint venture between Dundee University, Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the private sector.

Key stakeholders will be invited to a lecture and seminars on the museum in the Dalhousie Building at the university on February 24 and 25.

Dundee East MSP Ms Robison said, “I am greatly excited by the scale of this project and the ambition it brings to Dundee.

“There will be huge benefits to the city, not just in jobs and economic growth but in the national and international perception of Dundee, which it has the capacity to transform.

“It will be a key component of the new waterfront, connected to and collaborating with existing attractions and organisations in the ‘cultural quarter’.

“The coming of V&A to showcase contemporary creative industries will focus Dundee as Scotland’s premier centre for new media and contemporary culture. But we must all work together to make sure that Dundee grasps this wonderful opportunity.”

Dundee West MSP Mr FitzPatrick said that the museum had “enormous potential” and would help establish Dundee—with less than 5% of Scotland’s tourism market—as a tourist destination.

He said, ““I’ve seen an estimate that this could bring up to 900 jobs and millions extra to the Scottish economy.

“But for it to be successful, we need to fire the imagination of the local community and ensure that everyone gets behind it.

“This is Dundee’s chance to take a huge leap forward.”

Lord Provost John Letford said the museum would be “a rich thing” for Dundee but warned that plans had not yet been finalised.

He said, “Discussions are ongoing but although we can hope something like that would materialise, there are a lot of challenges we have to face first.”

The proposal to bring the V&A to Dundee was first put forward in April 2007 while former First Minister Jack McConnell was campaigning in Dundee.

Rich_B

December 29th, 2008, 01:59 PM

V&A gallery in Dundee will create 900 jobs, says studyJULIA HORTON December 29 2008
Plans to open a Scottish arm of the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum could bring hundreds of new jobs and thousands of visitors to Dundee.

A feasibility study into the V&A's proposals for a "Guggenheim on the Tay" in Dundee has concluded that the project has the potential to create around 900 full-time jobs and attract up to 130,000 extra tourists to the area by 2015.

Consultants also expect the planned outlet to generate £4.5m a year for the local economy plus an additional £2m a year across Scotland.

advertisementThe waterfront venture, which would be the V&A's first gallery outside London, would be used to house parts of its vast collections and act as a showcase for exhibitions.

Supporters said yesterday that the study added weight to hopes that the initiative will have the same revitalising impact on Dundee which the famous Guggenheim partnership had on Bilbao in Spain.

Dundee University, which is working with the V&A, commissioned the study jointly with Scottish Enterprise and Dundee Council.

A university spokeswoman said: "We feel a strong similarity with Bilbao. They spent billions on improving their city but nothing made any difference to public perception until the partnership with the Guggenheim.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to change the image of Dundee, not just for image's sake but to add something really substantial. There is a big gap in the applied arts market in terms of not having a showcase."

Despite major developments, Bilbao was not on the tourist trail until the renowned Guggenheim Foundation decided to build an art gallery there in 1991.

In the year after Frank Gehry's £60m masterpiece was opened, more than one million people visited the city and the building's iconic silvery structure is known across the world.

The aim of the Dundee V&A project is to replicate that success, helping to reverse decades of job losses.

The report, produced by consultants Whetstone Group and Conran and Partners, is based on the assumption that the museum will open in 2013.

jeff_h

December 29th, 2008, 03:58 PM

Fab news hope it comes off^^

maccoinnich

December 29th, 2008, 05:12 PM

BD are reporting (http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=725&storycode=3130448&c=1&encCode=00000000018ba10b) that the V&A are flirting with Blackpool. What a hussy.

jeff_h

January 5th, 2009, 08:25 PM

http://retrodundee.blogspot.com/

Stumbled across this while "googling" absolutely fantastic for folk of a certain age, however being under 30 I don't rember much of this!!! Some great video and pics!

And if you are a Dundee fan (yes I am!) http://dundeeshrine.blogspot.com/

jeff_h

January 6th, 2009, 08:20 PM

Letter in today's courier

Sir,—It is good to know people like Tim Allan of the Unicorn Property Group, interviewed by Jack McKeown recently, are determined that Dundee makes the very best of the waterfront site.

The architecture must match the splendour of the surroundings—“I think Dundee has one of the best locations in Europe . . . Dundee must get things right this time”—something all of us agree with. To date the new buildings to the west are less than inspiring and the rather unwelcome block of flats is now thankfully cancelled though at great cost to those who had paid deposits.

I make a suggestion to correct one of the most serious mistakes of the past. The Adam Town House destroyed in the 1930s should be rebuilt much as the original on the waterfront site. It would look magnificent with a stretch of water or a lawn in front and away from busy roads. It could easily house a delicatessen, an upmarket bar, a good restaurant, and so on, as Tim Allan says.

Rebuilding to the original is nothing new. The city of Warsaw was almost completely rebuilt this way and more recently the Frauenkirche in Dresden has been reconstructed down to the last detail. In Dundee, of course, Morgan Academy has been restored to the original magnificent facades with the advantage of modern interiors.

It would be interesting to know what other readers think of this proposal.

Yo can see pics of the Town House here

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/photodb/page50.htm

Why don't we go the whole hogg and create facades for street frontages in the new waterfront of all the lost Dundee buildings - you would be spolied for choice!! Great thought for a project!:)

jeff_h

January 7th, 2009, 11:10 PM

From Evening Telegraph

A planned £50 million extension to Dundee’s successful Overgate shopping centre will be going ahead despite difficulties in the retail sector, owners Lend Lease confirmed today (writes Bruce Robbins).

But the company is unable to provide any timescale for the development amid a strengthening recession nationally and big-name closures on the High Street.

There had been concern the ambitious project might have become a major casualty of the economic downturn, but Lend Lease’s general manager for Overgate, Karen Stewart, said, “Lend Lease is working closely with Dundee City Council to progress the proposed extension.

“In this challenging market we will continue to work with our investors, retailers and other partners to enhance Overgate and realise the potential Dundee has to offer as a premier retail destination in Scotland in years to come.”

Building projects all over the UK, both residential and commercial, have been put on hold or scrapped amidst fears houses will remain unsold and shop units unlet.

The construction industry has so far been one of the biggest casualties of the credit crunch but it has also bitten deeply into the retail industry with several high street names, including Woolworths and Zavvi, either closing altogether or going into administration towards the end of last year.

The Overgate extension will increase the size of the centre by just over half — the equivalent of another two Debenhams stores — and require a leap of faith by the developers, who will have to find tenants for many new shop units.

However, Lend Lease and Dundee City Council have entered into a legal agreement which allows for the development of land adjoining the shopping centre and the site of the proposed 215,00 sq ft extension.

The company said that under the terms of the deal, the council will acquire various land interests, which will be leased to Overgate to facilitate the expansion.

It remained unclear today what is happening with existing premises in the area, including those occupied by the Salvation Army, budget supermarket chain Lidl and a windscreen replacement outlet.

Lend Lease has already received the go-ahead from the Scottish Government for an extension that would increase the size of the centre by just over 50%.

An extension was first mooted about three years ago, but the scale of the proposal, along with other matters, meant it had to be referred to the then Scottish Executive for approval.

That was forthcoming in April, 2006, and Lend Lease and the council have since been working behind the scenes to make the extension possible.

If it goes ahead in the form originally proposed by Lend Lease, the extension would see 40 new shops, a food hall, an extension to two existing retail units and an extra 330 parking spaces. The project would mean the creation of 400construction jobs during a two-year building period and 500-600 more long-term jobs.

jeff_h

January 7th, 2009, 11:13 PM

A PAIR of historic Dundee street names could re-appear on the city's official lists after an absence of more than 40 years.

Mid Kirk Style and Tally Street disappeared from the map in the 1960s to make way for the first clearance and redevelopment of the Overgate.

Now, as the street register is computerised and updated, councillors will be asked to give both streets back their position on official council lists.

Convener of the planning and transport committee, Fraser Macpherson said: "Despite the Overgate being redeveloped twice now since the original warren of lanes, closes and styles made way for a shopping centre, Mid Kirk Style and Tally Street are actually still there, albeit slightly realigned.

"So there is no reason why they should not be on the official street register, nor why we shouldn't erect signs either side of the City Churches to mark the site of these lanes in the heart of our city."

The planning and transport committee will decide if it will agree to reinstate the street names to retain the links with a part of Dundee's history on Monday (January 12).

Pity it wasn't the streets that were reappearing:bash:

jeff_h

January 13th, 2009, 12:38 AM

Article in the Sunday Herald

Developer wants a major retail player to take a stake in project before construction work starts. By Steven Vass, Deputy Business Editor.

THE £50 million extension to Dundee's premier shopping centre faces delays of up to three years as the economic crisis takes its toll on retailers.

Council bosses have conceded for the first time that development work on the Overgate, which was originally due to have started last year, may now be delayed until 2011.

Mike Galloway, head of planning at Dundee City Council, told the Sunday Herald that the extension faced delays because the developer, Lend Lease, would not start work until it had found an "anchor" store to justify the whole project.

"It's only realistic to expect a delay given the current situation. It could be delayed until next year, it could be the year after," he said.

Scotland's commercial retail developers face a tough year for raising funds for their projects, exacerbated by a dismal Christmas that saw the likes of Zavvi, Adams, Woolworths and USC fold.

Those required to raise funds in the coming months include the £300m Caltongate hotel/office/residential/retail development in Edinburgh between Waverley station and Holyrood.

Those relieved to be at later or earlier stages of their projects include the £850m St James Quarter development in Edinburgh, which will this week hear whether it has council approval to cover the existing St James Centre at the west end of Princes Street in a giant advertising banner showing how the site will look when completed.

Developer Henderson Global Investors is proposing to double the retail space by adding 30 new shops together with hotels, restaurants, homes and leisure facilities.

It’s not if but when. We are sufficiently confident that the project will go ahead that we are acquiring the land.

Galloway said that before the Overgate extension project could start, the council had to buy the land to the north of the current centre.

This will then be leased to the developer, although the council will keep a portion for its new headquarters, which will take two years to build once construction starts later this year. This will replace the existing Tayside House, which is being demolished as part of the city's £270m 30-year waterfront regeneration project.

He said: "We are currently trying to acquire the Overgate land through negotiation with current owners including the Salvation Army, the Lidl supermarket chain and a windscreen replacement outlet. We are hoping to avoid a compulsory purchase".

He said that these negotiations should have taken place last year, but this was impossible until Lend Lease signed the contract, which did not take place until the autumn and appears to have been delayed.

He added: "In some ways the Overgate delay suits us, at least in terms of construction management. Having two projects on site at the same time is not impossible, but it would raise issues."

Galloway added that there was no question of the Overgate extension not taking place.

He said: "It's not a case of if but when. We are sufficiently confident that the project will go ahead that we are moving ahead and acquiring the land."

Karen Stewart, general manager of the Overgate said: "Lend Lease is working closely with Dundee City Council. In this challenging market we will continue to work with our investors, retailers and other partners to enhance Overgate and realise the potential that Dundee has to offer as a premier retail destination in Scotland in years to come."

Despite the turbulence in the financial markets, most major Scottish retail developments are fortunate to either have their funding in place, or they are still awaiting planning permission, and can raise funds some time later in the economic cycle.

Aberdeen's £250m Union Square development and Glasgow's £100m St Enoch Square extension are both well under way and due to open later this year.

A spokeswoman for the £400m extension to the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow, being developed by Henderson Global Investors and Land Securities, said that the project awaited full planning approval but that funding was already in place. The project is due to get under way next summer.

jeff_h

January 13th, 2009, 01:17 AM

And the Courier makes it even clearer!

By Bruce Robbins

DUNDEE’S PLANNING and transportation director Mike Galloway last night said he was confident the £50m extension to the Overgate shopping centre would go ahead as planned, despite a report in a Sunday newspaper, suggesting it might be hit by a “three-year delay.”

The story claimed work had been due to start on the extension last year but the economic crisis had caused Overgate owners Lend Lease to delay the project until an “anchor” tenant had been confirmed.

Mr Galloway was quoted as saying that it might not start until 2011, but he told The Courier that no start date has ever been confirmed for the Overgate expansion and he had mentioned no timescales in discussing the matter with the Sunday paper.

Lend Lease confirmed last week they would go ahead with the extension despite the recession.

Mr Galloway said yesterday that the council was now confident enough to proceed with land purchases to make the development possible.

He said, “We have now signed contracts with Lend Lease. We have to acquire some remaining properties and we are pressing ahead.

“When Lend Lease are ready to press the button on the extension, they will do so.

“But we have had no indication of a timescale from them, so it’s not possible to say anyone is behind schedule.”

Mr Galloway said that a bigger Overgate would play a key role in capturing a greater slice of consumers’ cash from Dundee’s regional shopping area.

“It’s really the next step in terms of the development of Dundee as a regional centre,” he said.

“We need to capture more of the spend that is in our catchment area and we believe the Overgate extension would help to achieve that.”

Lend Lease directors were not available for comment last night.

jeff_h

January 21st, 2009, 07:53 PM

No, the interesting aspect of his article – notionally about Glasgow’s waterfront – is the parallel McAslan draws with Dundee’s jute trade. Dundonians tend to look down on Glasgow – in the same way that Glaswegians deprecate Dundee. Both cities declined – but Glasgow came off worse. Far less is left of shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde (just Yarrows and Govan Shipbuilders), than of the textile industry on Tayside (J&D Wilkie, Sidlaw Group, Don & Low, Malcolm Ogilvie, Low & Bonar, WT Inglis and several others). Not only that, but regeneration has been more successful in Dundee: in fact, Glasgow could learn a great deal from its east coast cousin. Cue the sons of Kentigern choking on their Jaffa Cakes and Irn Bru …

Lets compare the specific areas in question – the ribbon of land called “Clydeside”, and the “Jute City” part of Dundee between Blackshade and Hawkhill. Both are symbolic of their respective citys’ past. Although John McAslan doesn’t say so, Glasgow’s industrial base – and future industrial heritage – was wrecked from the 1960’s onwards by its City Fathers and Central Government. Comprehensive Redevelopment Areas, and the nationalisation of shipbuilding, closed down then swiftly abandoned miles of buildings which demonstrated the very ambitious qualities which McAslan seeks in today’s waterfront housing. By contrast, the jute barons saw Board of Trade price controls dropped after the War, but diversified into man-made materials and non-woven textiles … and crucially many jute mills were left standing once they had outlived their usefulness to their owners. The reason is paradoxical: the land they sat on was so cheap that redevelopment wasn’t worthwhile.

John McAslan reaches the key point of his argument when he states that the boldness, sense of challenge and demonstration of ambition shown in Scottish industrial architecture is missing in the contemporary housing which replaces it – “My worship of, say, Louis Kahn, is fully matched by my obsessional regard for the industrial buildings of the Clyde, or the jute mills of Dundee: Cox’s Stack, the Camperdown Mill, the Verdant Works, the Tay Spinners Mill in Arbroath Road, the Ashton Works, requisitioned to manufacture ten million jerrycans during the second war. There was a boldness to these buildings, and their locales; a sense of challenge, and a demonstration of ambition to those outside Scotland.” He has unwittingly discovered that the aspirations and methods of industrialists differ from those of housing developers. The jute industry’s infrastructure was built by wealthy entrepreneurs with political clout, who had the ambition to create a world leading industry which delivered long term dividend growth: they built factories and mills to outlast themselves. Their works were living complexes into which continual investment was made: they were adapted, modernised and developed, not built and sold on by short-termists.

Taken literally, the qualities which McAslan seeks in new blocks of flats, are already found in the old jute mills which the textile industry left behind. Although the Cox, Gilroy, Low and Grimond dynasties didn’t build their enormous mills with the eventual aim of converting them into flats, the tall windows, high ceilings, thick stone walls, generous rooflights and imposing facades lend themselves to conversion. There are better examples of bold industrial development in the city than the mills which John McAslan chose: Camperdown was the largest jute mill in the world, but is land-locked in Lochee, whereas the quarter-mile long facade of Tay Works on West Marketgait is integral to the inner city. Taybank Mill (the “Tay Spinners mill”) was the first of the third generation mills, but Wallace Craigie and Lower Dens made bolder marks on the skyline when you view them from the city centre, or the docks.

In stark contrast, waterfront regenerations are usually thought up by politicians, who rarely look more than four years into the future, yet often control the derelict land. They’re constructed quickly and cheaply for maximum profit by developers seeking a speedy return on capital, and whose involvement ends when the units are sold – they have no ongoing stake in making these humane places with civic qualities. In fact, their only duty is to make the flats saleable, because that’s what their shareholders demand, and anything else would be contrary to the company's articles of association. Only Section 75 agreements imposed on them by the Planners force them to put something back into the community. The system might work better if regenerations were conceived by companies (who could assemble land more efficiently than public bodies do), but delivered by bodies with a stake in the community.

Anyhow, the result of involving large commercial developers in Glasgow’s waterfront redevelopments (such as Glasgow Harbour) is that land values were driven up dramatically. If Dundee’s jute mills survived because sites were cheap, Meadowside Granaries, the Queen’s Dock warehouses and Clark Kincaid in Greenock (Scotland’s last marine engine builder) were sacrificed because land became expensive. All were bold, ambitious buildings. The high value per hectare isn’t a result of economic success – nothing new was created – but rather a case of financial speculation. The machinations which McAslan perceives in big urban redevelopments come from deal-making and profit-taking in which architects play a limited role. He notes that Glasgow’s waterfront has no real engagement with people, or the city beyond it, and suggests that’s due to to the lack of architectural, urban and public realm quality, and also missing infrastructure; these results are due to commercial pressures.

You can draw a couple of conclusions – Glasgow and its developers lack ambition to create the kind of place that architects aspire to make; Dundee’s developers were just lucky that they had something left to work with. Yet McAslan’s final paragraphs betray a predicatable truth which holds us all back: his ambitions aren’t wholly altruistic. Architects find it difficult to write impartial criticism without crowing on their own dunghill. In this, his final words remind me of Alex Trocchi’s address to the Edinburgh Writers Festival in 1962. Although Trocchi’s sphere was Scots literature, but the sentiments he expressed are familiar, to the effect of – Almost all of it is cold, bible-clasping porridge. Anything of value in the past ten years, I have written myself. Of course, both article and address are polemical, but whereas Trocchi got an angry reaction from his target, Hugh McDiarmid – “cosmopolitan scum” – McAslan isn’t nearly specific enough in identifying where he thinks guilt lies for poor quality development. By stating that risk-takers and leaders are absent in Scotland, does he mean Politicians? Planners? Clients? He’s clear that the fault doesn’t lie with architects, but he doesn’t state who the people without ambition actually are.

As a result, it’s difficult to know what we should do to improve matters – but nonetheless John McAslan thinks he’s qualified to do it, and has let fly with both barrels.

http://www.scottisharchitecture.com/blog/read/465

Rich_B

January 22nd, 2009, 09:41 AM

‘Radical’ steps key to Dundee V&A bid

By Stefan Morkis

RADICAL IMPROVEMENTS to Dundee’s transport links will be needed if a branch of the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum in the city is to be a success, despite its price tag of nearly £50 million.

The museum will also require annual subsidies of nearly £2m to run, according to the business plan for the venture which was completed last month.

It outlines the expected costs of first building then running the museum and the financial benefits it could be expected to bring to Dundee and Scotland as a whole.

However, it warns there will need to be “radical” improvements to Dundee’s rail and airport links, as well as the city’s waterfront area, if the museum is to be a success.

The business plan has been prepared by consultants Whetstone Group and Conran & Partners, who completed the original feasibility study into the project.

First announced 18 months ago, it is estimated the museum would create 900 jobs and bring hundreds of thousands of extra tourists to Dundee, bringing at least £2m extra into the Scottish economy, of which around £1.4m would be in Dundee.

Building the museum will cost around £42.1m at today’s prices. If construction starts in 2011 and is completed by 2013 then, taking inflation into account, it will cost around £47.6m to build.

This price includes around £27.5m for the design and construction of a bespoke, “iconic” building to house the museum, which would host two exhibitions a year as well as collections from the V&A in London, considered the world’s premier museum of art and design.

It is estimated the museum would earn revenues of around £1m a year, at today’s prices, but still require an annual operating subsidy of £1.8m a year, plus another £700,000 a year to refurbish fixtures and fittings.

Dundee City Council has said it will donate land for the building at no cost but will otherwise have no financial stake in the project.

Instead, funding will need to be sourced from elsewhere but private donors are only likely to contribute if there is already a substantial commitment of public money, with the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund likely contributors.

It is hoped that once they have committed to the project, private donors will provide enough additional funding to help complete the project and set up a capital endowment fund that would then generate part of the continuing running costs.

Although the business plan acknowledges that the museum’s presence in Dundee will not help the city compete with Edinburgh and Glasgow as a short break destination for English tourists, the plan’s authors still believe it could bring around 240,000 visitors to the City of Discovery by 2015 and as many as 700,000 by 2030.

“These numbers may be exceeded if Dundee succeeds in revitalising its brand and capturing the attention of the tourism industry,” the report states.

Key stakeholders will be invited to a lecture and seminars on the project at Dundee University’s Dalhousie Building next month.

maccoinnich

January 22nd, 2009, 12:12 PM

£27.5m "for the design and construction of a bespoke, “iconic” building"? Aye, right.

jeff_h

January 24th, 2009, 01:21 AM

From the Courier

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1214/1005541822_2f1cd06e27_o.jpg
By Grant Smith, education reporter
CONSTRUCTION OF a £25 million student flat complex for Abertay University in Dundee city centre is finally about to get under way, almost five years after plans were first announced.

The 10-storey building, sited on vacant land at Parker Street at the southern edge of Dudhope Park, will have almost 500 bedrooms and should be ready for the start of the 2010/11 academic year.

Work on the project will begin next month, university principal Bernard King confirmed last night, and will provide further good news for the local construction industry.

“This will be a highly significant addition to our city centre campus in Dundee and will greatly strengthen and consolidate our presence in the city,” Mr King said.

“I am delighted our long-term plans, on which we have been working for many years, have taken such a major step forward with the confirmation work will start in February.”

That confirmation has been a long time coming. It was in April 2004 that the university lodged its first planning application for the development, with the hope the flats might be ready the following year. But councillors refused consent, partly because they were unhappy with the design.

It led to a public “town and gown” spat as Abertay threatened to quit Dundee and find a larger campus elsewhere, with Fife or Perth mooted locations.

The row eventually subsided and a revised planning application was submitted in 2006. This time it won the approval of councillors, despite objections from residents of the flats in Parker Street, concerned about the impact of such a large building nearby on their quality of life.

Abertay then did a deal with Manchester-based Opal Property, which specialises in building and managing student residences. Opal agreed to buy the 1.5-acre site and the design, build the complex and then lease as many rooms as required to the university.

The complex is arranged into 89 five-bedroom flats and nine with seven bedrooms. It is expected that most, or possibly all, rooms will be taken by Abertay students and its logo will appear on the building. Construction will take 20 months and will create a substantial number of jobs during a difficult economic period.

Professor Nicholas Terry, university vice-principal, said, “This is good news for Abertay and for the city of Dundee. The Parker Street building will be a brand-new, contemporary accommodation complex located almost next door to our city centre campus and fitted out to a very high standard.

“Working with an experienced and successful specialist developer like Opal means that we avoid the risks associated with funding and developing a student village ourselves, yet we will retain the ability to offer the highest quality accommodation possible to our students.”

This will be Opal’s first Scottish venture and its finance director Craig Mellor said, “We are absolutely delighted to be able to provide this state-of-the-art accommodation for the university and the student population.

“With its excellent location, brand-new rooms and superb communal facilities, we are confident the scheme will prove a popular choice.”

jeff_h

February 5th, 2009, 08:38 PM

From the Courier

By Stefan Morkis

THE FUTURE of a £17 million development on Dundee’s waterfront hangs in the balance after construction was suspended yesterday.

Security staff told workers to down tools and vacate the site on Victoria Dock shortly after 7.30am.

Edinburgh-based FM Developments is building 160 flats and 32 townhouses on the dock and has developments under way throughout Scotland, including a 47-home project in Cupar.

Construction at Victoria Dock was supposed to be completed by July, and although the firm say they hope work will resume soon, employees are less optimistic— despite many of the flats already having been sold.

Last week the Scottish Government provided Hillcrest Housing Association with £700,000 to buy eight unsold properties on Merchant’s Quay.

One construction worker said yesterday’s event had come as a complete surprise.

“We start work at 7.30am, and when we got there the gates had been opened—but security staff arrived, told us to secure the site and then leave,” he said.

“Most of the sub-contractors had to be told by us that they couldn’t get on to the site.”

He said most people had expected construction work to last until the summer.

“We were assured that it would be July before all the work was finished, and that maybe there would be two years’ work after that to build a 15-storey block at the end of the dock.

“There might be a chance that we can get back to work, but it doesn’t look good.

“The company sold those flats to Hillcrest last week, so there definitely has been money going into the company.”

He added, “There are two closes still to be completed.

“One of them is about 80% finished, but 14 out of the 16 flats have already been sold—even though the top floor and stairwell haven’t been completed yet.

“The other block is about 50% done—they were waiting for kitchen units to arrive.”

A spokeswoman for FM Developments said they hope work on the City Quay development will resume but would not say when, nor would she say why work had been stopped in the first place.

She said, “Construction work on phase five of the City Quay development in Dundee has been suspended.

“We are continuing to market properties for sale at the site, which has been a very popular development, and look forward to its successful completion.”

The Scottish Building Federation estimates 20,000 construction workers lost their jobs last year and it emerged last month that £2.5 billion worth of Scottish building projects had been delayed as a result of the current economic recession.

jeff_h

February 10th, 2009, 07:30 PM

From the Courier

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/446173316_5094055cb2.jpg
By Maura Bowman
PLANS TO regenerate an eyesore on one of Dundee city centre’s most prominent sites are effectively in limbo more than a year after the city council backed the project.

The future of the Tay Hotel in Whitehall Crescent could be up in the air again if negotiations between the developer and Historic Scotland are unsuccessful.

An application by MEC Services International Ltd to re-develop the B-listed building was unanimously approved by the development quality committee in January last year.

It would turn the building into a mixed-use development, including flats, an apartment hotel and a bar/restaurant.

However work cannot start until agreement is reached with Historic Scotland.

The stumbling block is the planned creation of a glazed seventh floor on the roof to house two penthouse flats.

Architect Rick Russell, of Nicoll Russell Studios in Broughty Ferry, praised Dundee’s planning department for its support of the project and said his client was “very keen” to move it along.

He said, “The situation at the present time is that we are responding to a report that Historic Scotland has prepared in response to our application.

“It all rests on a matter of opinion about whether or not we should or can justify building the lightweight penthouse.

“We are very keen to get on as we know that the building is sitting like a blight on a corner of Dundee.”

Mr Russell said he and his client found it perplexing that similar glazed rooftop extensions have been allowed by Historic Scotland in Edinburgh and Glasgow but appear to be unacceptable in Dundee.

The addition would give the building “vibrancy and life,” he said, to prevent it from being “a mausoleum at the corner.”

Economic changes since the application was mooted almost two years ago also mean that speed is of the essence. With property prices falling nationally, further delays could lead to a question mark over the project, Mr Russell said.

However, it appears the delay will not end soon.

A Historic Scotland spokeswoman said, “We have repeatedly said how much we welcome the rescue of this important B-listed building but have concerns about the impact of a modern roof extension.

“The applicant presented the case that there is economic justification for this work, but further research commissioned by us did not back this up.

“It is now for the council and the applicant to decide whether to progress or revise the current application.”

jeff_h

February 17th, 2009, 08:18 PM

From the Courier

THE £11.8 MILLION restoration of Dundee’s landmark McManus Galleries (pictured) is soon to enter its final phase—but it could be another year before the museum opens its doors to the public, The Courier has learned.

The keys are expected to be handed back to Dundee City Council within weeks as contractors Muirfield complete years of intricate work to the interior and exterior of the building.

However, the revamped museum will not start greeting visitors any time soon as the painstaking process of moving thousands of pieces from the city’s arts and natural history collections back into the building begins.

More than 150,000 items were removed to allow the restoration project to take place and the cream of those will return in the coming months as the exhibition spaces are fitted out.

Among the iconic exhibits expected to reappear will be the skeleton of the Tay Whale and a 1500-year-old canoe that is so large it had to be taken out of a window when it was removed from the museum.

A council spokeswoman said it was expected to be early next year before the facility, formally renamed The McManus—Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, was back up and running.

She admitted the time- scale had slipped by a few months from the original plan of re-opening this autumn but said the wait would be worthwhile as the museum would be an international class facility the city could be proud of.

“We didn’t find any horror stories in the building but there were one or two delays in materials arriving,” she said.

“It has been a major construction job.

“It has more or less been gutted and completely refurbished but having said that all the outstanding period features have been retained, including the main staircase and the stained glass in the Albert (Institute) hall.”

The spokeswoman said she hoped the remodelled McManus would have as much impact as the revamped Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow.

She said, “We are going to have three galleries on the ground floor and three galleries on the upper floor, a temporary exhibition space and a creative learning suite.

“I think it is going to blow away everybody that sees it when it is finished—it really is looking fabulous.”

Rich_B

February 18th, 2009, 06:36 PM

Minister’s support for V&A North in Dundee

New culture minister Michael Russell today pledged his support for a proposal to bring the Victoria and Albert North Museum to Dundee (writes Katie Smyth).
Mr Russell outlined his priorities for Scottish arts with 100 invited artists today at a conference in Edinburgh, his first official engagement since taking over from Linda Fabiani.

Before the conference he said, “Scottish Ministers warmly welcome the social and cultural ambitions of this joint project between the Victoria and Albert Museum, Dundee University and Dundee City Council.

“It shows considerable potential for a successful partnership and would be a positive development in Dundee, enhancing an already vibrant cultural scene that already boasts the contemporary arts centre, the refurbished McManus Galleries and Discovery Point, to name but a few.”

Mr Russell said, “I look forward to working with the project team and to seeing sound economic proposals which can be developed for the benefit of Dundee and Scotland.

“I would hope to have an early meeting in Dundee with those involved with the project, and to renew my cultural links with the city.”

A feasibility study commissioned by Dundee city partners demonstrating the potential impact of establishing a presence for the Victoria & Albert Museum on the city’s waterfront will be discussed at a conference, V&A at Dundee: Making it Happen, on February 24 and 25.

The conference, in the University of Dundee’s Dalhousie Building, will feature contributions from Mark Jones, Director of the V&A, a presentation of the main findings of the feasibility study and implications for Dundee’s wider waterfront development, as well as evidence by experts.

I was very sceptical when I first heard about this venture but it may just happen...

tongue_tied_danny

February 22nd, 2009, 10:23 PM

Fei Jie

February 22nd, 2009, 11:02 PM

This wuld be a mjor coup for the city and the University / DOJCA :cheers:

Rich_B

February 25th, 2009, 08:26 PM

There's a good feature about the V&A proposals in the Sunday Times today.

Clicky (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article5779647.ece)

I've got to admit, I did initially think this was pie in the sky but it's beginning to look likely.

thats great news that the big man of the V and A is totally behind it. not so pleased about the Times's description of Dundee as a 'bleak post industrial town' this project could really put dundee back on the map and shut those aberdonians up once and for good :bash:

maccoinnich

February 26th, 2009, 02:13 AM

Ouch. David Lawson isn't keen on new developments in Dundee (http://*************************/dundee/dundee_design.htm). Worth reading, despite the misplaced apostrophes:

I moved back to Scotland after living in Scandinavia, Austria and latterly London. I moved back to the Dundee area where I'm originally from and began looking for a place to live. With the odd exception, I am very disappointed by the poor choice of all the same bland housing, ugliness and the building standards of housing. The houses all look very similar even to the point of using the same materials and the general finish is very poor. The rooms are all very small with tiny windows offering very little natural light, poor energy efficiency no balconies its so depressing and with no privacy in tiny rear garden patches.

In the main the lack of joined up master planning especially along the waterfront with weak architecture and design is again creating an ugly waterfront space dominated by traffic, a supermarket and retail outlets. A coastal city with a wonderful south facing aspect is a complete wasted opportunity very much like Edinburgh waterfront and even Kirckaldy are are example of the same ugly messes and placing the wrong things in the wrong place.

maccoinnich

February 26th, 2009, 02:20 AM

....but, on the other hand. Posted in full, because I would hate to break up the rhyming structure and flow. From the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/26/dundee-v-and-a):

In praise of ... Dundee
The Guardian, Thursday 26 February 2009

Oh, beautiful new Scottish branch of the V&A,

With your collection of art so grand and so gay

What a sight to behold by the silvery Tay

Attracting people to Dundee from Fife and further away

Who would mostly come across the bridges on road and railway

And spend lots of money and enjoy a stay

In the birthplace of the celebrated George Galloway

Oh, beautiful new Scottish branch of the V&A

Your collection of objects and indeed the whole lot

Would complement the vessel of the heroic Captain Scott

Which is moored in the Tay in a neighbouring spot

And already brings lustre, as all do agree

To the renowned city of Bonnie Dundee.

Oh, beautiful new Scottish branch of the V&A

Dundee has been known for many a day

Mainly for jam, journalism and jute.

But a fine new museum our city would suit

And prove what as citizens already we know

That there is more to Dundee than the home of the Beano.

In honour whereof please lend your hand

To one of the finest ideas that Dundee has ever planned.

(With apologies to William MacGonagall, "the Poor Poet that lives in Dundee")

SeoulDee

February 26th, 2009, 07:30 PM

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/va-to-launch-competition-for-dundee-museum/1994314.article

Will be interesting to see what comes out of this. It is looking promising for the V&A at this stage.

Rich_B

February 27th, 2009, 10:36 AM

Worldwide search for V&A design
THE WORLD’S best architects will be invited to submit designs for the planned multi-million pound Dundee branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

An international competition will be launched once funding has been secured to find a designer for the building on Dundee’s waterfront.

It is understood that the V&A hope to have launched the contest by the end of the year.

The Dundee project has not yet been given the green light but the proposals have been welcomed the Scottish Government.

It is believed that opening a V&A outpost in Dundee could regenerate the City of Discovery in the same way the Guggenheim did Bilbao.

A feasibility study has been completed and although it acknowledges public and private subsidies will be needed to pay for the museum, it says hundreds of jobs will be created and millions of pounds pumped into the local economy.

However, the report also warned that Dundee’s transport infrastructure would require massive improvements for the museum to succeed.

A two-day conference on the effect the V&A would have on Dundee took place in the city earlier this week.

Godfrey Worsdale, director of the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, said, the museum was vital to Dundee’s future and would transform the city.

If the museum goes ahead, construction could begin within two years and the project could be open by as soon as 2013.

Organisers hope the competition will attract an architect of similar stature to Frank Gehry who was responsible for the Bilbao Guggenheim.

A spokesman for the V&A said, “The feasibility study has been completed and has been received very positively this week.

“When funding has been secured there will be a competition to find an architect.”

Meanwhile, the V&A in London will compete against two of Scotland’s best-known museums for the 2009 Art Fund Prize of £100,000.

The V&A’s Sackler Centre for Education is one of 10 nominees of the prize, along with Kelvingrove Art Gallery’s Centre of New Enlightenment programme and the Scotland: A Changing Nation exhibition at the National Museum in Edinburgh.

David Puttnam, who is chairing this year’s judging panel, said, “This year’s long list will take the judges across the length and breadth of the country and there really is something for everyone, with museums and galleries exploring subjects as diverse as ceramics, crafts, geology and toys.

“These projects have all made an impact in their local areas during their first year of opening, and we are sure that the high standards they have set will make our judging a difficult task.”

David Barrie, director of The Art Fund, added, “All the long listed museums and galleries have shown exceptional creativity and ambition.”

The winner of the Art Fund Prize will be announced in April.

is it just me or would this be the best thing ever to happen to dundee?

escotregen

February 27th, 2009, 02:57 PM

Maccoinnich I was at the SURF annual regeneration conference in Dundee yesterday and they got a ‘real ‘ Dundeeonian to open it with a recital of the Guardian piece. He added a few wee embellishments of his own and it went down a treat with the delegates:)

Incidentally, yet again I visited Dundee to find a fair amount of sun although quite cloudy. They claim it as the city of sunshine (as well as the more corporate ‘City of Discovery’) and I've mentioned before how it’s really true that in many years of visiting Dundee I can recall only once when it was actually raining downtown/at the waterfront. Why can’t Glasgow do that with the Clyde Waterfront!

jeff_h

February 27th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
Plans for Dundee to become an outpost of the world-famous Victoria and Albert museum are to be discussed. Supporters said the project could showcase the city's design heritage including computer gaming and comics. The idea is a joint project between the Victoria and Albert Museum, Dundee University and Dundee City Council.
BBC News Online
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7908682.stm 24.02.09

University conference examines museum proposal
as above
STV News
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/78934-university-conference-examines-museum-proposal/ 25.02.09

Worldwide search for V&A design
as above
The Courier 27.02.09

Call for Dundee to host arts body
as above
The Courier 27.02.09

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
as above
BBC Scotland news, featured on Breakfast Time, Lunchtime News and 'Reporting Scotland' - interviews with Mark Jones, Georgina Follett & Juan Alayo - 25.02.09

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
as above
GMTV Scotland news, interview with Mark Jones - 25.02.09

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
as above
STV news, lunchtime and North Tonight bulletins - interviews with Mark Jones and Paul Askew (Whetstone Group) 25.02.09

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
as above
BBC Radio 4 'Today' programme with Mark Jones & Christopher Frayling - 25.02.09

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
as above
BBC Radio Scotland 'Good Morning Scotland' programme with Mark Jones, Juan Alayo & Georgina Follett - 25.02.09

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
as above
Radio Tay news, interview with Joan Concannon - 24.02.09

Dundee has designs on V&A museum
as above
Wave 102 news, interview with Joan Concannon - 25.02.09

Dundee has grand designs for future with £42m Guggenheim on the Tay
as above
The Times 26.02.09

It may be time for Scots version of Guggenheim
as above
The Scotsman 26.02.09

Museum could create 900 jobs
as above
Press and Journal 26.02.09

Can dour old Dundee be the new Paris?
as above
The Times Online
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/melanie_reid/article5804561.ece 26.02.09

V&A to launch competition for Dundee museum
as above
Architect journal
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/va-to-launch-competition-for-dundee-museum/1994314.article 26.02.09

Plans could bring outpost of V&A museum to Dundee
as above
Best Western News
http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Editorial-News/Article/Plans-could-bring-outpost-of-VA-museum-to-Dundee-695.aspx 25.02.09

£42m plan could bring Victoria and Albert to Dundee
as above
The Herald 25.02.09

Victoria and Albert branch vital - claim
as above
The Courier 25.02.09

Final piece in the puzzle
The Monday interview with Godfrey Worsdale ahead him speaking at a conference on the V&A project tomorrow evening.
The Courier 23.02.09

Lecture to examine V&A impact on region
The impact of bringing the famous Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum to Dundee will be examined at a public lecture tomorrow. It will set out the possible economic and cultural benefits to the city and Tayside if the museum locates there. The project is a joint scheme by the museum, in partnership with Dundee University and Dundee City Council. Press and Journal 23.02.09

Curator with designs on Dundee
The director of the Victoria and Albert Museum may be in charge of one of Britain's most traditional repositories of artefacts but he has an eye for the offbeat and innovative. His interest in contemporary design is one reason Jones has become involved in a pioneering project to open an offshoot of the V&A in Dundee. 'We were approached by the University of Dundee and asked if we would be interested in having some sort of presence in the city,' says Jones. 'We said we would, if the terms were right and the right venue was available. It's not going to be like the Tate Liverpool, which is a branch of the Tate in Liverpool. It will be more of a partnership, a collaboration with the University of Dundee and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. We haven't settled on a name but V&A Contemporary has been suggested or it could be the V&A in Dundee.'
The Sunday Times 22.02.09

Art display will complement city's V&A bid
A showcase of artwork is to be held in Dundee to coincide with a bid to bring a branch of the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum to the city. Final preparations are being put in place for the display at Dundee University, which will feature works by around 20 artists.
Press and Journal 21.02.09

Speech to back Dundee V&A
Next week Godfrey Worsdale will make a speech at Dundee University on the economic and social benefits of a cultural institution as part of the campaign to attract a branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The Courier 21.02.09

Just a wee bit of press coverage on this fantastic proposal!:cheers:

jeff_h

February 28th, 2009, 10:13 AM

Scottish Enterprise has said it will make an announcement about a £33m funding package for Dundee's ambitious Waterfront Project in the coming weeks.

The 20-year development, devised in 1998, aims to reconnect Dundee city centre with the Tay and transform the surrounding streetscape.

Local Labour MP Jim McGovern had accused ministers of stalling over a decision to release the cash.

The Scottish Government said Scottish Enterprise would decide the issue.

In a letter to Finance Secretary John Swinney, Mr McGovern called for the cash to be made available "as a matter of urgency".

'Challenging times'

He claimed the money had been agreed by Scottish Enterprise in October last year and should have been released by now.

He said: "The Dundee Waterfront Project will help Dundee ride the current economic storm by providing much needed jobs, particularly in construction, for the area.

"For the minister to stall his approval for no given reason is unforgivable and defies understanding."

However, a spokesman for Scottish Enterprise said the money had not been approved last year and that a final decision would be unveiled as part of the organisation's business plan for next year.

In response, a spokesman for the Scottish Government denied the decision was one for ministers and said it was up to Scottish Enterprise itself.

He added: "The government is absolutely committed to the project and recognise the real potential it has to help the local economy and the wider Scottish economy through these challenging times.

"Scottish Enterprise's decisions are not for ministers to approve - as with all major investments, the Scottish Enterprise Board needs to consider and approve funding and the Dundee Waterfront project is currently progressing through Scottish Enterprise's approvals process."

dufc1909

March 2nd, 2009, 02:27 PM

Can anyone tell me what has happened to the proposal by Dundee Uni. to site a 90ft bio woman at Duncan of Jordanstone ?

djmacdonald73

March 6th, 2009, 12:39 PM

Yeah, I`ve often wondered what happened to that plan - it was originally mooted a few years ago. The artists impression made it look like it could be pretty impressive!

dufc1909

March 6th, 2009, 02:18 PM

I came across this brochure from 2006 to enlighten those that havent heard of the plan.

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/2006/prmar06/inspirationbrochure.pdf

jeff_h

March 6th, 2009, 07:18 PM

SNP Scottish finance secretary John Swinney served up a massive political broadside today by handing over £33 million of cash for Dundee’s flagship waterfront project on the day the Scottish Labour Party conference got under way at the Caird Hall.

The timing of the announcement was immediately criticised by Labour’s Dundee West MP Jim McGovern as a naked attempt by the SNP to deflect attention from Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s address to Labour party delegates in Dundee today.

The new money matches a cash pledge by Dundee City Council for the ongoing central waterfront transformation project.

Mr Swinney said the cash — being provided through the Scottish Enterprise network — would help create 1000 jobs over 10 years and generate more than £500m for the Scottish economy.

It will kick start the third phase of the waterfront development which will see the creation of a new northern boulevard through the city centre, the demolishing and rebuilding of the exit and access ramps to the Tay Road Bridge and the establishment of a massive storm water tank.

The first work at the Tay Road Bridge will start early next year and the third phase of work is expected to last four years.

Mr Swinney was at Discovery Point in Dundee today.

He said, “The Dundee Waterfront Project is an important signal of a bright future for the city, the region and for Scotland.

“This is a significant investment in a major project that will bring massive economic benefits both for Dundee and the wider Scottish economy.

“The project will generate work, create jobs and keep the local economy moving — crucial in the current economic climate.

It will play a crucial part in the Scottish Government’s economic recovery programme — designed to help businesses and households through the current difficulties.

“And it will deliver a lasting legacy for future generations, supporting our long-term aim of making Scotland a more successful country through increased sustainable economic growth.”

PROJECT WILL ‘RE-INVENT DUNDEE’

Jim McFarlane, managing director of operations at Scottish Enterprise, said, “This project offers the opportunity to accelerate the restructuring of the Tayside economy.

Creating a high-quality business district at the waterfront will help support the growth of indigenous business and attract new inward investors to the city.

Confidence

“In the current economic climate this investment is a statement of confidence in the opportunities in this region and will help boost its existing world-class strengths in industries such as financial services, life sciences and digital media.

“The overall effect of the Dundee Waterfront Project will be to reinvent Dundee as an ideal destination to live, work, visit and invest in.

“This will allow the city to attract and retain a highly-skilled workforce which is essential to the region’s company base and universities.”

DUNDEE WEST MP QUESTIONS TIMING

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern said he was pleased the cash was coming to the city, but he questioned the timing of the announcement.

He said, “I am delighted the money is now coming forward, but the irony is not lost on me that it is only a week since I wrote to John Swinney to ask him to speed up this process and at that time it was claimed it was nothing to do with John Swinney.

“If he is now trying to claim the credit for it then I am surprised. I doubt it (will deflect from the Prime Minister’s speech). In the larger political scheme of things, John Swinney is quite insignificant compared to Gordon Brown. God loves a trier though.”

THIRD PHASE TO BRING CHANGES

Leader of Dundee City Council, Councillor Kevin Keenan, said of the project, “The next phase has taken a considerable amount of work behind the scenes to get funding in place from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government, the approval of the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board for key elements of the plan and coordination for the trunk roads network from BEAR Scotland.

“Some of the activity that has been done up to now on the waterfront itself has also been largely invisible to the public, particularly the strengthening of the Dock Street rail tunnel, but with this third phase of work now ready that will all change, and the immense transformation we have planned and discussed for so long will become more obvious.”

ALSO

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/03/05154818
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7928109.stm
http://www.snp.org/node/14950

Great news the ball really starts rolling now! Will try and get some new pics up soon Holiday Inn is open Alliance Trust HQ is almost completes as is the New Casino at West Port. Dundee One has begun as has Abertay Uni student residences

jeff_h

March 6th, 2009, 07:24 PM

Alan Martin of Sensation science centre in Dundee said that a feasibility study was currently under way to look into the possibility of building Bio Woman and siting her in the city. However it was much too early to say whether this outcome was likely or not.

Mr Martin said that Sensation chief executive Paul Jennings and operations manager Louise Smith were behind initiating the feasibility study.

“To give you some perspective, it took around seven years to plan the Angel of the North, so we really are at the very beginning of this stage,” he said.

djmacdonald73

March 7th, 2009, 11:05 PM

Great news, really hope it proves feasible - it really would give Dundee something "unique".

As far of the rest of the developments go, everything seems to be happening at the moment! The exterior of the Alliance Trust HQ seems pretty much done, I went past the new casino today, it looks enormous! Anyone know what the circular bit they`re currently building on top of it is for?

jeff_h

March 9th, 2009, 08:42 PM

From Scotsman

Date: 07 March 2009
By FRANK URQUHART
THE main phase of one of the most ambitious urban regeneration schemes ever planned in Scotland finally got the green light yesterday.
Scottish Enterprise announced it is to invest more than £33 million in the massive Dundee waterfront redevelopment, matching funding pledged by Dundee City Council.

Work on the long-awaited project, aimed at reintegrating Dundee's waterfront with the city centre, is expected to begin within weeks.

The flagship project is expected to create at least 1,000 jobs over the next ten years and generate an additional £270 million of private-sector investment.

The development includes plans for a new business district for the city, a series of new landmark buildings and proposals for the only outpost of London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

The waterfront development partnership claims that the £70 million scheme will transform the image and perception of the city, making it easier to attract and retain a skilled workforce in the booming life sciences, financial services and digital media sectors.

Announcing the investment, John Swinney, the finance secretary, said: "The Dundee waterfront project is an important signal of a bright future for the city, the region and for Scotland.

"This is a significant investment in a major project that will bring massive economic benefits both for Dundee and the wider Scottish economy."

He added: "The project will generate work, create jobs and keep the local economy moving – crucial in the current economic climate.

"And it will deliver a lasting legacy for future generations, supporting our long-term aim of making Scotland a more successful country through increased sustainable economic growth."

Jim McFarlane, the managing director of operations at Scottish Enterprise, said the project offered the opportunity to accelerate the entire restructuring of the Tayside economy.

He said: "Creating a high- quality business district at the waterfront will help support the growth of indigenous business and attract new inward investors to the city.

"In the current economic climate, this investment is a statement of confidence in the opportunities in this region and will help to boost its existing world-class strengths in industries such as financial services, life sciences and digital media."

Mr McFarlane claimed: "The overall effect of the Dundee waterfront project will be to reinvent Dundee as an ideal destination to live, work, visit and invest in."

The project began in 2005 when the ring roads north-west of the railway station were realigned, followed by the strengthening of the railway tunnel underneath Dock Street.

TAKING DUNDEE CENTRE TO TAY

THE masterplan for Dundee's waterfront includes extension of the city centre down to the waterfront; the creation of a new "grid iron" street pattern; replacement of some Tay Road Bridge vehicle ramps; two tree-lined boulevards to replace the inner ring road; a range of mixed-use developments; creation of a major new civic space, from the Caird Hall to the Tay; and a new railway station.

jeff_h

March 10th, 2009, 09:27 PM

COUNCILLOR KEVIN Keenan, chairman of the Dundee waterfront board, has called on the Scottish Government to find cash for a structure that could house the proposed Victoria and Albert Museum.

He has called for funding to create an iconic “anchor” building to seize the public imagination and act as a focal point for further development at the waterfront.

“The money that has already been announced was earmarked some time ago for infrastructure works that will create the framework for development and help to physically re-create the link between the city centre and the river,” he said.

“But if the waterfront vision is to be delivered and we truly want to put Dundee’s and with it Scotland’s cultural importance on the map, then we will need new money to design and build something with the wow factor.”

Last week more than £33m was allocated to Dundee City Council by Scottish Enterprise to help implement the city’s waterfront vision.

dufc1909

March 11th, 2009, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the info . . I really hope that it happens.

jeff_h

March 11th, 2009, 09:12 PM

A CALL HAS been made for funding to create an iconic "anchor" building to seize the public imagination and act as a focal point for further development at Dundee waterfront.

Kevin Keenan, chairman of the waterfront board has called on the Scottish Government to find cash for a structure that could house the proposed Victoria and Albert Museum.

He said: "The money that has already been announced was earmarked some time ago for infrastructure works that will create the framework for development and help to physically re-create the link between the city centre and the river.

"But if the waterfront vision is to be delivered and we truly want to put Dundee's and with it Scotland's cultural importance on the map, then we will need new money to design and build something with the wow factor. Something as inspiring as Frank Gehry's Maggies Centre in Dundee would be a good place to start."

Last week more than £33m was allocated to Dundee City Council by Scottish Enterprise to help implement the city's waterfront vision.

The cash will immediately enable work to get underway on the next phase of activity to create a massive storm water tank, the new northern boulevard and to demolish and re-build compact exit/access ramps at the Tay Road Bridge.

BEAR, the managing agents for the trunk road network in Scotland also intend to reconstruct East Dock Street from Trades Lane to Broughty Ferry Road. This work will be coordinated with phase three of activity at the central waterfront.

That means that the East Dock Street works, which include creating a new Trades Lane junction, will run from late summer to autumn this year.

AMCO have been selected as the preferred bidder for a separate contract for the storm water tank which will take around a year to complete from its expected start date in April. Because of its location on the grassed area to the east of the Hilton Hotel, work on building the tank will have no impact on drivers.

The first work at the Tay Road Bridge itself is scheduled to start in early 2010and include the bridge ramps, service diversions and the construction of the proposed northern boulevard.

This part of the project will take more than four years, with completion expected early in 2014.

The phasing of the works is extremely complex and could change as contractors are appointed and work begins on site.

That complexity and the overall length of the programme is partly caused by the need to minimise the impact on road and bridge users, and to ensure the city is open for business as usual during the implementation of these major works.

jeff_h

March 13th, 2009, 09:04 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3351364427_8faf139b63_b.jpg

From the Courier
By Brian Allison, local government reporter
A PLANNING application for a £30 million project to build a replacement for Dundee’s Olympia Leisure Centre, along with a multi-storey car park and retail unit, has been lodged by the city council.

The council is effectively applying to itself for planning permission as the proposal will go before the development quality committee within the next few months.

It is intended to build the leisure centre and car park on the northern part of the existing Allan Street surface-level car park.

Included in the new centre will be an Olympic-sized 50m swimming pool and associated leisure facilities, while the multi-storey car park, which would have space for 500 vehicles, will incorporate a retail unit on the ground floor.

The estimated cost of the centre is £22 million, while the car park is expected to cost £7.35 million.

There will be sufficient structural capacity to extend the top level of the car park to provide additional spaces if required, and flexibility to vary the size of the retail unit.

Councillors gave approval in principle for the project to build a new swimming and leisure centre almost exactly a year ago, although there were reservations expressed about the location.

It was argued that the proposed site is in an already congested area of the city and is surrounded at peak times by slow-moving traffic.

Explaining the reasons for replacing Olympia, council officers said that, while it was successful in attracting paying customers, proposed works in and around the central waterfront would continue to isolate it and make it look increasingly out of place.

Olympia will eventually be demolished to make way for the waterfront redevelopment which, it is hoped, will include a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Development of the new centre and the car park is intended to be carried out in tandem if planning permission is granted.

Rich_B

March 13th, 2009, 09:10 PM

that looks quite cool!

crusty_bint

March 14th, 2009, 08:18 PM

Jeff, has a site for the proposed V&A been chosen? Really hoping it comes to fruition!

jeff_h

March 14th, 2009, 09:04 PM

Hi Crusty I am led to believe it will be next to Discovery Point where the current swimming pool sits.

crusty_bint

March 14th, 2009, 09:41 PM

Cheers Jeff :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3353766443_99ed8544f7_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/392937875_cf1de5c06c_o.jpg

djmacdonald73

March 15th, 2009, 06:27 PM

jeff_h

March 19th, 2009, 12:33 AM

ACTOR BRIAN COX spoke yesterday of his desire to see the Dundee’s Kings Theatre refurbished and re-opened, as supporters met for a centenary lunch.

The building in the Cowgate, currently used as a nightclub, opened as the Kings Theatre and Hippodrome in March 1909. Harry Lauder, Marie Lloyd and Will Fyffe were among the legendary performers who graced its stage.

The red sandstone building was converted for cinema use in 1928 and also staged pantos, touring and local productions until 1961.

The cinema closed in 1984 and was used for bingo until 1994. Its current incarnation is the Deja Vu nightclub.

The Kings can seat about 1200 while the Caird Hall seats 1800 and the Rep 450. The Kings Theatre Company has been set up to pursue the dream and believes there is a niche for the Kings as the city does not have a proscenium arch theatre to stage large touring shows.

Yesterday at The Italian restaurant in Commercial Street, the toast was the Kings as MP Stewart Hosie, MSPs Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick joined councillors and supporters for the centenary lunch.

Brian Cox was unable to attend but his sister Bette and sister-in-law Rosa represented him. He sent a message saying, “The Kings Theatre is a magnificent building as we all know and one I believe to which there should be access.

“I stand behind this project 100% and look forward to having the opportunity to tread the boards in the glorious new Kings Theatre one day in the not-too-distant future.”

TV presenter and adopted Dundonian Lorraine Kelly, who is honorary vice president, also sent her best wishes to the centenary gathering.

http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2349-king-s-dundee

adammccall

March 19th, 2009, 07:41 PM

Where did you find this out?

This would be a brilliant addition to Dundee's "reinvention", as it's fairly laughable to think that the fourth largest City in Scotland doesn't have a venue to accommodate theatre arts companies and bands, etc.

People wonder why very few big productions and concerts come to dundee, but if you think about what we have currently, you can't blame booking agents for turning away from Dundee.

The Caird Hall is the only good venue (capacity wise), however a half assed attempt at turning a town hall into a performance space doesn't quite cut it- especially when you take into consideration the acoustics, terrible staging, masking, sight lines and facilities to highlight only a few problems, makes the Hall a terrible venue for most events.

The Whitehall has much of the same problems due to the fact it's shell is a Cinema, and it is extremely dilapidated (out of the public's view). The capacity not adequate either.

The Rep is good theatre,as it was built to be a theatre, but they don't hire it and capacity again is an issue.

Then Dundee's left with the Little Theatre (need I say more), Gardyne Theatre (Which is again a purpose built Pros Arch theatre, but is in a college campus and only seats 390), and that's about it.

And again, for bands, they are left with the above or a choice of Fat Sam's Live (tiny stage, medium capacity) or Dundee's many make shift pubs stages.

Pretty shocking really, especially when the City portrays this image of being cultural and arts centred these days- they seem to turn away from the Caird hall criticisms and pretend it is the best venue on earth.

It also quite frustrating to see they haven't planned for any music/Arts venues on the waterfront Development plan, as it wouldn't be wrong of me to associate a good waterfront city with a good music/arts venue. :nuts:

Dundee should capitalise on its central location which surely would appeal to bookers, artists and travellers alike and build a good venue, in return we would get a big boost in tourism / local spending.

Anyway, I think I have got myself a bit sidetracked there. I was going to ask how feesable the Kings re-opening would be (in a modern or restored condition), especially when it is occupied by Deja and Fast Eddies?

Many Thanks, and apologies for the rant.

adammccall

March 19th, 2009, 07:44 PM

Looking good.........the sooner the current Olympia and Hilton are removed from the waterfront the better!

Jeff, have you heard anything about the proposed Asda/hotel complex which is supposedly being built where the old NCR building is?
RE Asda and NCR:

There was a quote in the Tele when the redundancies article was published from NCR saying they were keen to get things moving along with the developers, but the details were a bit sketchy.

At least they have mentioned it though.

jeff_h

March 19th, 2009, 08:53 PM

Hi Adam thanks for the rant - we like them on this forum! Totally agree with all your comments. A venue the equivalent of Perth Concert Hall would be great but I remember reading a Council report a couple of years back saying that there was no demand! Fair enough but the DCA, Rep, Discovery Point etc etc all run at a loss and recieve council funding to support them! An SECC Armidillo style building where Tesco currently sits would be ace!

Re The Kings Theatre I am no expert but I believe the theatre is upstairs. Maybe someone who is a bit older than me can advise?? De Ja Vu is an embarrassment its like a zoo at the weekends - A compulsory closure notice on the place would be great:lol: or bring back Branningans - much better!

djmacdonald73

March 19th, 2009, 10:04 PM

I couldn`t agree with you more Adam, I`ve been saying pretty much the same thing for years. The Caird Hall is ok as a venue, but it`s looking pretty dated and has numerous failings as you mentioned. It IS ridiculous that a city the size of Dundee doesn`t have an exhibition/conference centre - the revenue it would generate would make a big difference to the city, and would help to put Dundee on the map more, as it seems to be overlooked by a lot of artists and production companies at the moment.

A building like this would fit in perfectly as party of the waterfront development, another site I`d always thought would have been perfect for it would have been the old factory site on the Kingsway, just west of where Homebase sits (I think it used to be Valentines?) but I think it`s been earmarked for offices by the developer Bruce Linton.

dufc1909

March 20th, 2009, 03:35 PM

Your right is saying Dundee needs a new music venue.
It can pull from a regional population of about 400,000 so should work.

There was once talk that the old museum on barrack street was to be converted into a purporse built 600+ venue but it never happened.
We needed something larger anyway.

I always thought that we could temp a bigger act by holding the gig at one of the Dundee football stadiums, . . macdairmid park perth and elton john. . .

There was also talk once of a music festival within the sports / cycle compound of caird park. It was used every year to hold 10,000+ highland games, so might have worked.
That never came off either.

On another note . . there seems to be a whole new "Dundee Buisness Park" rising from the rubble along the kingsway, opposite the BMW franchise.

Any word on what it will entail . . new buisnesses, old buisnesses, hopeful spectulation ?

Is their any news on the company that wanted to build an office at the old Don and Low HQ on the kingsway, but only on the premise that they could have wind turbines ?

The Boy David

March 20th, 2009, 09:21 PM

Dundee definitely needs a proper-bo music venue for big gigs.

Fat Sams is fine for the more niche market, but Dundee really lacks an AECC sort of venue to gig the slightly bigger folks round.

dufc1909

March 21st, 2009, 11:22 AM

Google maps street view Dundee is well worth a visit if you havent been there yet.

jeff_h

March 22nd, 2009, 05:38 PM

My new shiny camera was put to good use today!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3375750850_d90e6a5c78_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3375753230_aa65aee1c0_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3375747054_f7321df9db_b.jpg
Alliance Trust HQ West Marketgait - Love the black cladding and neon lights!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3374918247_c1ff49e208_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3375731450_9a08988c97_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3375736468_0b9af2a169_b.jpg
Holiday Inn Dock Street

djmacdonald73

March 23rd, 2009, 10:20 AM

Any idea when either of those buildings will be officially opened?

zipper

March 23rd, 2009, 10:28 AM

thumbs up to RMJM and Millers on the Alliance Trust building
i think it looks sharp

.......helped by a good picky as well

The Duke

March 23rd, 2009, 08:51 PM

I saw them working on the Alliance Trust building the other day, and between the Ground floor and the First floor window there is a electronic band (to the left side and round the corner pic 2)that looks like it be informing people of share prices etc a la Times Square in New York.

jeff_h

March 23rd, 2009, 09:05 PM

Holiday Inn has been open since October 2008. Alliance Trust will probably be next few weeks!

jeff_h

March 23rd, 2009, 09:12 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3374927911_766afa04e5_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3374932721_02b363967c_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3374924311_ab43802f5d_b.jpg
West Port Mixed Use - casino, apartments, bar/resturant retail - this one is huge!!cladding is mostly brick from what I saw through the mesh

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3374916653_bf14266d5d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3375727494_791879cb0b_b.jpg
Dundee One - Waterfront Grade A Offices - frame taking shape

djmacdonald73

March 24th, 2009, 12:31 AM

Cheers Jeff - I didn`t think the Holiday Inn was actually open yet, as any time I`ve gone past the bottom section of it has been boarded up with "To Let" signs on it!

Yeah, the new casino development IS enormous!

Monkey9000

March 24th, 2009, 03:13 AM

That "Dundee One" Development looks absolutly dire in that render. Such a shame for such a prominent location.

djmacdonald73

March 24th, 2009, 09:36 AM

Am I right in saying the "Dundee One" development is where the new crime lab is going to be situated?

zipper

March 24th, 2009, 09:45 AM

Am I right in saying the "Dundee One" development is where the new crime lab is going to be situated?

sure is

crusty_bint

March 24th, 2009, 05:53 PM

Was looking at Dundee on Google Streetview and was very impressed. Really hope the V&A and all the waterfront stuff happens. Oh, and the McManus Galleries are just adorable.

jeff_h

March 25th, 2009, 12:01 AM

Cheers Crusty was looking around Mcmanus as it is now to be known and building looks about finished alot of the intricate stonework has been tidies up or replaced and new entrance on South side makes access alot easier :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3374921675_2ea5db8e73_b.jpg
You can see some of the new stonework on left!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3375742224_8bccace2e5_b.jpg
New Byzantium restaurant and flats at Hawkhill - there is something about the design of this I really like but can't quite put my finger on what it is!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3375729442_c370680fce_b.jpg
The all new waterfront
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3375725214_b3957c71f7_b.jpg
And again!

Away to Amsterdam to see our national team play football. I have remembered to take my blindfold!:banana: Be back on next week:cheers:

The Boy David

March 25th, 2009, 01:35 AM

Thanks for the new photo updates Jeff - much appreciated as always!

Enjoy the game...

James_S

March 25th, 2009, 09:02 PM

Anybody any idea what's happened / happening with the Western Gateway? I'm sure I read about this a few years ago now and that the first work would be road realignment around the Swallow Circle. It's something I had totally forgotten about but with the work on Riverside Avenue at the moment I was wondering if that was maybe something to do with it. Anybody remember what it even involves?

Cheers.

djmacdonald73

March 27th, 2009, 05:18 PM

I do remember reading something about it a while back, but like you can`t remember exactly what it was!

I`m sure Jeff will know once he gets back...

Jaydot

March 27th, 2009, 06:47 PM

Last I read, the builders were delaying due to the housing market conditions

SeoulDee

March 27th, 2009, 11:39 PM

One of the companies involved in the Western Gateway Development, Duncarse Ltd, have gone into administration. They were also doing the Riverside Drive development at the former Homebase site. I would imagine during the course of the year these sites and developments will be bought up by other developers once more money is in the market.

djmacdonald73

March 31st, 2009, 05:32 PM

I just went past the new Alliance Trust building, they`ve turned the electronic message board on already - it looks pretty smart! Makes Dundee feel that wee bit more "professional"! I think it has business news updates going along it.

M_Riaz

April 6th, 2009, 03:29 PM

RIAS CONVENTION HEADS TO DUNDEE

http://www.constructionnow.co.uk/enews/images/RIAS%20new.gif

Coinciding with the Dundee Institute of Architects’ 125th Anniversary celebrations, the RIAS Convention 2009 will be held in Dundee from May14-16, with the main plenary event taking place at the Caird Hall on May 15.

Chiming with the Scottish government’s designation of 2009 as ‘Year of Homecoming’, this year’s Convention will have a strong international theme. The main plenary session Making it Abroad will feature a stimulating range of high profile Scottish architects and artists working successfully abroad.

Speakers include Rab & Denise Bennetts; Andy Bow; John Clark; Tony Kettle; David Mach; John McAslan; Tom McCartney; Tim McFarlane; Professor Charles McKean; Ian Ritchie; and Ric Russell.

A range of events are planned for the three days of the Convention, including an architectural exhibition and symposium in DCA and an evening reception with live jazz from The Ritz Trio in the Hospitalfield in Arbroath.

The main Convention will be followed by an informal party at a memorable venue – the award-wining Discovery Point on the waterfront. Guests will enjoy a drinks reception, buffet, guided tours of RSS Discovery and live music from acclaimed indie band The Hazey Janes.

The programme will conclude with a guided walking architectural tour of Dundee and a guided bus tour of the East Neuk fishing villages on May 16.

For the 2009 RIAS Convention we are using our booking agent Anthony James to co-ordinate hotel accommodation requirements. They provide a free service and have negotiated special rates with a variety of hotels in the area. Please feel free to call either Chris or Peter at Anthony James on 01692 400799 and they will be delighted to assist with your requirements.

Conference Registration (doc)
(http://www.rias.org.uk/content/mediaassets/doc/RIAS%20Convention%202009%20Delegate%20Registration.doc)

Fei Jie

April 7th, 2009, 11:30 PM

jeff_h

April 8th, 2009, 07:45 PM

Hi guys survived Amsterdam just!:cheers: The extra lane at riverside was paid for through regional transport partnership. I think planning permission was given for a new village circa 250 homes. Hope everyone enjoys coming to the City for the Rias conference :)

djmacdonald73

April 12th, 2009, 10:06 PM

Took a slow walk right along Dock Street and down to City Quay as the weather was so nice. I get the feeling that as the whole waterfront development progresses, Dock Street is going to become a totally bustling, vibrant thoroughfare - if they can get decent retail units into the ground-floor level of the Holiday Inn that would make a big difference to the whole area. The older building on the opposite side of Dock Street (not sure what it`s called) looks REALLY impressive, it would look really good if some restoration work was done on the stonework.

City Quay itself just looks awesome, I really like what they`ve done with the flats - and I think the units are much better suited to the companies which are now occupying them, rather than the permanently-empty retail units that were there before. I hadn`t really appreciated before how large the Unicorn is, think it would be quite impressive if it was used as a floating restaurant/bar/function suites.

jeff_h

April 14th, 2009, 07:29 PM

THE QUARTER of a billion pound project to redevelop Dundee’s waterfront is expected to hit visitor numbers and trading at Discovery Point over the next few years

But the longer-term benefits of the waterfront project to what is one of Dundee’s premier tourist attractions are said to be “enormous.”

Dundee Industrial Heritage Ltd (DIH), which operates Discovery Point and Verdant Works, is to receive a grant of £63,000 from the city council towards running costs for the 2009/10 financial year.

Council leisure director Stewart Murdoch, in a report on the funding award, said DIH is expected to incur a deficit this year in spite of having introduced cost reduction and efficiency measures.

“Over the past few years… trading income has grown year on year, which has more than compensated for the small decline in visitor numbers,” he said.

“However, the economic downturn this past year has had a very detrimental effect on all DIH income lines.

“They are particularly exposed to the effects of the recession as over 90% of their income comes from non public sources.”

DIH’s draft budget for 2009/10 shows projected expenditure of just under £1.095 million, while income is anticipated to be £1.088 million.

Only £94,000 of the income is in the form of grants from bodies including the city council and the European Regional Development Fund.

Mr Murdoch said DIH is expecting another difficult trading year ahead, with the possibility of visitor numbers not increasing significantly for some time yet and other trading lines, including conference income, being harder to secure.

“The waterfront project, whilst having enormous benefits to the organisation in the longer term, will over the next four years impact on Discovery Point,” he said.

“They (DIH) plan to work closely with Dundee City Council and other partners to overcome the expected negative impact on visitor levels and trading during this period.”

Mr Murdoch said almost three-quarters of the visitors to Discovery Point are from outside the Tayside area, while the proportion for Verdant Works is just under half.

He said 20% of visitors to the two attractions come from overseas, providing significant benefits to Dundee’s economy.

The major project for this year is the installation of a new audio visual show for the Discovery Point auditorium at a cost of £75,000, which is being financed by a number of charitable trusts as well as fund-raising events.

“DIH are also looking closely at renewable energy opportunities which, in addition to reducing their carbon emissions, would also help reduce utility costs,” said Mr Murdoch.

“This would also tie in with their educational programme in terms of environmental issues, global warming and Antarctica.”

jeff_h

April 14th, 2009, 08:10 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3438677464_289a61309f_b.jpg

This application seeks planning permission for the conversion of the Lower Dens Mill complex into 99 flats and the erection of 12 new build flats at Lower Dens Works, Constable Street, Dundee.

Conversion of Mill Buildings - as well as converting the former mill buildings into flats, the applicants propose to restore the external fabric of the A listed buildings and retain as much of the historic interior as possible. In order to adapt the former industrial mill buildings to accommodate residential dwellings, the southern elevation of the North Mill requires to be rebuilt and all of the existing windows replaced.

The application site is situated between Princes Street, Constable Street, Dens Street and St Roques Lane. The site is known as Lower Dens Works and is made up of 4 mill buildings dating back to the 19th Century.

The 4 mills are named North Mill, Bell Mill, Dens Street Mill and StRoques Mill. The lower levels of the existing buildings are currently leased out by various occupants with the upper levels now unoccupied. The 4 buildings circle a central courtyard along with the Marquee (a former nightclub)
which is to be demolished and the Smugglers Bar which is to be redeveloped.

North Mill was constructed in 1935 as a 3 storey building. The building has steel framed vertical hinged windows. The external facade of the building is constructed from traditional masonry and stone. However, the south elevation has been rebuilt at some point and is constructed from reinforced concrete columns and beams with brickwork lift shafts and external walls.

Dens Street Mill is a 5 storey building constructed in 1865. The building also has steel framed vertical hinged windows. This building is constructed from natural stone with stone sills and lintels.

St Roques Mill on the corner of Constable Street and Dens Street is a 3 storey building constructed between 1830 and 1840. Additional works to the roof structure of the building were carried out in 1889. The external walls of St Roques Mill are constructed from traditional stone and masonry with stone lintels and sills forming all window and door openings.

Bell Mill is a 5 storey building constructed in 1866. The building has a tower structure at the south western corner that houses the existing stair. A brickwork lift shaft is located at the north east corner of the mill. The east elevation of Bell Mill facing the courtyard is partially obscured by the remnants of a brickwork gable wall.

http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/detail.aspx?sctID=3755&region=Dundee&div=&class=ALL&category=AT%20RISK&Page=3&NumImg=5
http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/detail.aspx?sctID=3754&region=Dundee&div=&class=ALL&category=AT%20RISK&Page=3&NumImg=5
http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/detail.aspx?sctID=3753&region=Dundee&div=&class=ALL&category=AT%20RISK&Page=3&NumImg=5
http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/detail.aspx?sctID=3751&region=Dundee&div=&class=ALL&category=AT%20RISK&Page=5&NumImg=5
http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/detail.aspx?sctID=1951&region=Dundee&div=&class=ALL&category=AT%20RISK&Page=6&NumImg=5

mediadave

April 14th, 2009, 10:49 PM

Interesting. I used to live just across the road from those. I'm surprised its taken this long - just along the street another mill has been turned into flats and seemed very popular.

jeff_h

April 20th, 2009, 07:38 PM

From Evening Tele

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3351364427_8faf139b63_b.jpg

A leaf-shaped roof has been revealed as one of the features of the proposed £30 million project for the replacement for Olympia Leisure Centre in Dundee (writes Debbie Kerr).

The first public images of the new leisure facilities have been unveiled by Dundee City Council in a planning application.

Plans for the project, set to incorporate a swimming pool, a multi-storey car park and retail unit, were lodged by the city council last week.

The detailed application features an artist’s impression of the proposed site, including a leaf-shaped roof on the swimming pool and a 500-space car park.

The proposals will go before the development quality committee within the next few months.

The site for the planned development is the northern part of the Allan Street surface-level car park.

With an expected cost of around £22 million, the proposed leisure centre should be open to the public in 2011, if the plans are approved.

The centre will feature a family pool, dive area, flumes, rapid river, fitness suite and cafe, as well as an Olympic-sized main pool.

In addition, a multi-storey car park would be constructed at the expected cost of £7.35 million.

The centre will also incorporate a retail unit on the ground floor.

The project, first revealed almost exactly a year ago, will result in the ageing Olympia Centre being demolished to make way for the continuing redevelopment of the city’s central waterfront.

The location of the new leisure complex has provoked some concerns, with some pointing out the development will be situated in an already congested area of the city, which is often surrounded at peak times by slow-moving traffic.

However, the transport report submitted as part of the planning application makes several recommendations to tackle the volume of traffic in the area.

These include making the building more accessible to cyclists, pedestrians and bus users by improving existing footpaths, installing a new signalised pedestrian crossing and taking advantage of the existing bus service.

Construction of the centre and car park is set to be carried out in tandem if planning permission is granted.

The tele are a bit slow with that one we had it on here on 13th March:nuts:

adammccall

April 22nd, 2009, 04:17 PM

Chamber backs call for upgrade

Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce has thrown its weight behind renewed calls for an urgent refurbishment of dilapidated Dundee railway station.
Chief executive Alan Mitchell warned the expensive redevelopment of the city’s waterfront area will leave the station sticking out like a sore thumb if Network Rail fails to include it in its national programme of improvements.

Mr Mitchell said an attractive station had both economic and aesthetic dimensions. He said the tourist industry was rightly concentrating on marketing Dundee and Angus attractions on a national and international stage but added, “Quite clearly, the train station will be the first view of Dundee for many visitors. It’s important it creates the right impression.

“The whole network is being upgraded and Dundee has to be part of that.”

Mr Mitchell said the regeneration and refurbishment of the city centre over a number of years was regularly praised and appreciated by returning visitors. Now that the waterfront project is under way, it is the perfect time, he said, for Network Rail to play a part.

He added, “Dundee is Scotland’s fourth city and is the gateway to both the city and Angus. Businesses, citizens and visitors should expect to see the same investment in the facilities here as elsewhere. Anything that improves the rail experience benefits everyone including Network Rail. This should be a win-win situation for everyone.”

Network Rail’s apparent reluctance to spend hard cash upgrading a station that has been described as a “blight” has angered local politicians and special interest groups across the city. There have been repeated calls for something to be done but Network Rail has so far refused to make any commitment.

MP’s pressure pledge

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern has told the Tele he is to meet the head of ScotRail next month to press home the urgent need for improvements at the city’s train station.
Mr McGovern pledged there will be no let-up in his campaign until the station, which has been dubbed an eyesore is of an appropriate standard for Scotland’s fourth city.

He revealed that, with a proposed branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum opening in the city and attracting waves of new visitors to Dundee, he has had talks with Strathclyde’s transport supremo, who will face a similar challenge when the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow in five years time.

The MP spoke to the Tele in the wake of the news of further refurbishment plans at Waverley Station in Edinburgh, which will include the replacement of 17,000 roof panels with clear glass to allow in natural light.

“In fairness, this is great news for people who use Waverley and perhaps great news for glaziers in Edinburgh,” said Mr McGovern.

“It is certainly scant consolation for the people who use Dundee Station.

“With the recent news of a possible Victoria and Albert Museum to be located on Dundee’s waterfront, which I have welcomed, it is more crucial than ever that visitors to Dundee get a good first impression.

“A V&A in Dundee would mean an exponential increase in visitors, therefore transport links are of increasing importance.

“To this end, I recently had a meeting with Alistair Watson, the chair of Strathclyde Passenger Transport, to discuss how Glasgow’s transport system will cope with the influx of Commonwealth Games visitors.

“I also have a meeting with Steve Montgomery, acting managing director of ScotRail, in Dundee next month, where I will be making it crystal clear to him the concerns the people of Dundee have about the state of the station.

“I will continue to campaign vigorously until the desired result is achieved.”

While Network Rail owns the station, it is run by ScotRail, leading to the suggestion the issue of major investment is a bit of a hot potato between the two companies.

“A complete refurbish-ment of Dundee station would cost tens of millions of pounds and require the support of local and central government, as well as the rail industry,” a Network Rail spokesman told the Tele.

“The plans for Waverley are vital to the continued, safe operation of the station and to allow full accessibility for users.”

His comments were echoed by a ScotRail spokesman, who said they have installed CCTV, ticket gating, extra cycle hoops and a ticket vending machine at Dundee.

“Network Rail is dedicating resources to help make the regeneration of the waterfront a success,” he added.

I think the quote from Scotrail above is funny... Yeah 'cos all we need is some CCTV and some ticket vending machines 1 ticket vending machine to address our issues of upgrading the station - I think they have the wrong meaning of "upgrade"

adammccall

April 22nd, 2009, 05:10 PM

I read in the tele the other week that plans have been submitted for the upgrade of the Camperdown Visitor Centre which is good to hear.

I can't find the article online, but in summary they are going to upgrade the centre itself, shop, restrooms, and a café.

here's the floor plan..

http://i41.tinypic.com/23t0bw5.jpg

in other news, have you seen the new pics of the McManus galleries project?

http://www.mcmanus.co.uk/the-future/prupdate0309.htm

adammccall

April 22nd, 2009, 05:29 PM

Dundee City of Discovery Logo and Brand Dropped, new one on the way.. costing £73,087p.... going to an Edinburgh agency... :hm:

RIP Dundee, City of Disco Very

http://creativedundee.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ff3707e883301157026ab22970b-800wi

If ever there was cause for a celebration then it is surely the news that Dundee is finally going to ditch the ugliest excuse for a logo that ever wasted printers ink. The old Comic Sans-esque monster has "become out dated" according to the City Council. Phew, glad they spotted that before it became embarrassing!

It reminds me of a meeting I had with a council member who's name I have long since forgotten. We were sat in the DCA having a coffee and he was asking me some questions for a Dundee related magazine. At the end of the interview he asked what I thought of the 'City of Discovery' logo? My response was the verbal equivalent of being caught short with a really bad stomach bug.

He looked really upset and told me that the council had conducted a survey and found that the identity was "very recognizable" I reminded him that the same could be said for other identities like, well lets say... London 2012 (it wasn't though it was more likely an equilateral cross with arms bent at right angles) but that does not mean people like them.

So, a large hole is being dug big enough to fit all those signs that greet the visitors to our city and a new identity is currently developing in a designers brain. Which leaves us to ponder... what will they do?

Well, some info is available. The identity is being developed by The Leith Agency for a paltry £73,087p, it is based on the slogan "Dundee ignites a spark in everyone, encouraging them to embrace all life has to offer"... so it's going to be a spark then! We will have to wait a little longer to find out, it is likely to be unveiled, around July time.

I am quietly excited to see what has been produced, if slightly disappointed that an Edinburgh based agency was needed to brand Dundee. Let's hope it's a DoJ graduate thats working there!

If anyone fancies having a stab at what they think the Dundee logo will or should look like and emailing them to news@creativedundee.com I might start a little gallery going... maybe I will find a prize for the one that is closest to the final result!

Thanks to Lyall Bruce for the blog post.

jeff_h

April 22nd, 2009, 07:14 PM

Cheers for the info adam!^^ As for the train station money has been spent in Glasgow Edinburgh and Aberdeen on improvements to the main stations and the tin shed we have remains to decay like a derelict house!!!

jeff_h

April 22nd, 2009, 07:25 PM

REPORT TO: POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 27 APRIL 2009
REPORT ON: DUNDEE CENTRAL WATERFRONT PROJECT PROGRESS
REPORT 2007/2008
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/2483246615_2cba4e19b9_o.jpg

REPORT BY: DEPUTE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (FINANCE), DIRECTOR OF
PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION AND DIRECTOR OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
REPORT NO: 197-2009

1 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To advise the Committee of the Cities Growth Fund Annual Report 2007/08, agree future reporting arrangements and to the imminent commencement of Phase 3 of the Central Waterfront Project.

2 RECOMMENDATION

2.1 It is recommended that the Committee:
a note and endorse the Cities Growth Fund Annual Report 2007/08 which was forwarded by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) to the Scottish Government in July 2008 (copy appended).

b note that the Cities Growth Fund has ceased and an equivalent allowance has been made in the General Capital Grant settlement by the Scottish Government and this has been allocated for the Central Waterfront Project.

c agree that an annual report on performance and financial planning of the Central Waterfront Project be brought to the Policy & Resources Committee each October.

d note that Scottish Enterprise have allocated a contribution of £33m to the Central Waterfront Project.

e note that the Dundee Central Waterfront Project Partnership Board has agreed to progress with Phase 3 of the project, from January 2009 to February 2014, at an estimated cost of £20.4m.

3 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1 The estimated £20.4m to complete Phase 3 of the Central Waterfront Project can be met from the General Capital Grant settlement and contributions from Scottish Enterprise. The Scottish Enterprise Board on 27 February 2009 approved a financial contribution of £33m to the overall programme of infrastructure development of the Central Waterfront Project.

4 CITIES GROWTH FUND

4.1 The Scottish Government required the submission of a final Annual Report with regard to the grant from the Cities Growth Fund by the end of July 2008. As of 2008/09 this funding has been made part of the general capital grant allocation and has been allocated by the Council for the Central Waterfront Project. The report tables also indicate other income expended on these projects.

4.2 The timing of meetings of the Dundee Central Waterfront Project Board and this Committee meant that the Annual Report had to be submitted to the Scottish Government prior to the Board and Committee considering it. However, all of the projects and arrangements were previously approved by the Board, and tenders approved by the Planning & Transportation Committee. The report is appended (Appendix 1).

4.3 In June 2008 Audit Scotland reported on the Council's Capital Project Management arrangements and the Central Waterfront Project was included as one of the large projects they chose to audit. The Audit Scotland report on the Project focused on reporting arrangements and financial governance. It is proposed, therefore, that the practice of reporting progress and financial planning continues with an Annual Report presented to the Policy & Resources Committee of the Council.

5 CENTRAL WATERFRONT PROJECT PHASE 3

5.1 Following the award of the first two rounds of the Cities Growth Fund, Phase 1 of the Project (Western Road) and Phase 2 (Dock Street Rail Tunnel, Reconstruction of Dock Street and Gellatly Street) have been completed. Phase 3 is larger and more complex involving a new storm water tank, demolition of ramps to and from the Tay Road Bridge and construction of new ramps in a new, compact configuration, and associated comprehensive service diversions.

5.2 The approval of the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board was necessary for this work in order to ensure appropriate engineering design and traffic management for the bridge traffic during the various construction phases. It was also necessary to demonstrate that funding to complete the works to the ramps is committed prior to any contract being let.

5.3 The Tay Road Bridge Joint Board of 8 September 2008 approved the proposals and programming of Phase 3 subject to confirmation of the funding arrangements. The Board of Scottish Enterprise of 27 February 2009 approved an overall grant of £33m towards the Dundee Waterfront project, therefore, along with the allocated capital from the Council there is commitment to cover the estimated £20.4m for Phase 3 (Appendix 2).

5.4 The proposed phasing of the works has been refined in the past few months following discussions with BEAR, the managing agents for the trunk road network. BEAR are intending to reconstruct East Dock Street (from Trades Lane to Broughty Ferry Road) and this will require extensive traffic management. It is proposed to coordinate these works with Phase 3 of the Central Waterfront Project such that the East Dock Street works will be undertaken first from late summer 2009 for a period of 3 or 4 months, and to install a new Trades Lane junction as part of BEARs contract. A separate contract, currently out to tender, will be let for the new storm water tank.
This tender will be reported to the 27 April Planning & Transport Committee and the contract will take approximately 12 months. This work has no impact on the road network.

The first works to the bridge itself are currently programmed to start in January 2009. These works, which include the bridge ramps, service diversions and the construction of the proposed northern boulevard, are currently programmed to be completed in June 2014. The phasing of these works is complex and may change following discussions with any appointed contractor(s) if they suggest any helpful revision. It is worth noting the complexity and length of programme is partly caused by the need to minimise impacts on road and bridge users and to ensure the city is "open for business as usual" during the implementation of these important infrastructure works.

6 MARKETING

6.1 The Waterfront Marketing strategy continues to be focussed on general awareness raising and creating a sense of ownership amongst citizens as the project progresses. This is part of the communications strategy to increase understanding of the development process in order to appreciate the longer term vision. The www.dundeewaterfront.com website is currently being enhanced to include an image gallery and details of Waterfront Board activities. A communications plan for Public Relations referring to the Phase 3 proposals has also been developed. In addition the computer animation of the waterfront visual has been shown in public arenas including the DCA cinema.

6.2 Engagement with individual developers continues, this has included a stakeholder meeting with current developers at City Quay where they were provided with both Dundee and Waterfront information as well as resources to assist in their own Waterfront marketing. This will continue for the time being with specialised targeted marketing taking place towards the completion of the Phase 3 works.

7 ECONOMIC IMPACT
7.1 The Central Waterfront will enable Dundee to make a step change in its economic fortunes by providing a Central Business District with high quality office accommodation as well as housing, leisure and retail facilities for all. By the provision of nearly 140,000 sq m of new accommodation, the Central Waterfront will be capable of attracting significant inward investment to the city and creating further economic spin offs - not only for Dundee and neighbouring areas, but also for Scotland.

7.2 A Market Appraisal and Economic Impact Assessment study has been prepared to inform the case for public sector intervention to help ensure the success of the project. This study has assessed the likely economic impact to be very significant with up to 3,500 new permanent jobs being created and the addition of up to £2.6 billion into the national economy.

jeff_h

April 23rd, 2009, 07:46 PM

About £270m will be spent regenerating the waterfront area

Businesses in Dundee have asked for assurances that the city centre will continue to be promoted during work to regenerate the waterfront.

They have welcomed the £270m 30-year regeneration project, but raised concerns that shoppers may not want to visit the city during the works.

The Dundee City Centre Action group said it had received some reassurances from the council.

It was told that access would be maintained and traffic kept moving.

The council said it would also work closely with the group with regards to public information and marketing.

Action group chairman Peter Leyland said: "There is no doubt that the plans, once realised, will be wonderful for the city and everyone applauds that long-term aim and ambition.

"In the shorter term, many businesses have been concerned that the works may deter some people from coming to the city centre - however, we are keen to work with the council to help promote the city centre and all that it has to offer during this period.

jeff_h

April 23rd, 2009, 07:48 PM

From Evening Tele

Radical designs for a new railway station have been drawn up by Dundee City Council architects, but only Network Rail can decide if the project can go ahead, it was revealed today (writes Bruce Robbins).

The drawings have been described as “stunning” by council staff.
The “wish list” plans drawn up by council officials are being kept under wraps meantime by the local authority because of the ongoing talks with Network Rail.

The Tele has asked to see the drawings, but has been told they are not for public consumption.

The council is keen to upgrade the rail facility at the same time as it seeks to co-ordinate the waterfront redevelopment.

A new station will only be possible if Network Rail includes Dundee in its next round of improvements, which are expected in a couple of years. That timescale would dovetail nicely with the waterfront work.

Yesterday, the local chamber of commerce warned that the present dilapidated station would stick out like a sore thumb if it were left untouched at the same time as the waterfront was redeveloped.

That’s a situation the city’s SNP transport convener, Will Dawson, said should not be allowed to happen. He said the new Nationalist administration would be “battling as hard as we can” to secure the necessary funding for the station.

Dundee was overlooked by Network Rail when the company decided the bulk of its Scottish investment should go towards upgrading Waverley in Edinburgh — at a cost of £130 million.

Mr Dawson said the city appeared to have lost that battle, but pledged the fight to secure a brighter future for the city’s station would continue. He said, “It’s been said by everyone over the last six or seven years that Dundee Station desperately needs to be upgraded.

“There are plans in place for the station. We know it needs a big upgrade but we are waiting for the funding. I will push as hard as I can to make sure Dundee gets the cash it needs.”

Councillor Dawson said discussions have taken place between council staff and Network Rail and these would continue with a view to reaching a solution to the “eyesore” station.

He said the site deserved a landmark building and added, “As long as it’s fit for that site, I will be happy. The plan is to have the station upgrade tied in with the waterfront redevelopment. If we can win this battle for funding next time round we will be sorted.

and more from the planning and transport convener on the council

I have today again added my voice in complaint about the state of Dundee rail station.

As the then chair of the regional transport body TACTRAN, I met with Ron McAuley, Network Rail’s Director in Scotland, just before Christmas and made clear the real need for Network Rail to buy into a partnership approach to get our railway station fully upgraded to cater for the passengers of the 21st century. The current infrastructure is, bluntly, very poor.

The Network Rail Director subsequently addressed a meeting of the full TACTRAN Board and the issue of Dundee Rail Station was again raised.

Earlier this month, Network Rail announced plans for a new roof for Waverley Station in Edinburgh as part of a £130 million overhaul of the station. It comes on top of some £190 million announced last May for Edinburgh Haymarket.

Upgrading Dundee Station would cost a fraction of these many millions being spent on Edinburgh. It is only right that Dundee Station gets a share of capital expenditure to give the city a decent station with good facilities, particularly for disabled passengers.

“We are as confident as we can be that we will win the battle. We’ll be doing everything we possibly can.”

Attention NETWORK RAIL - GET YOUR FINGER OOT AND GET ON WI IT!:bash:

Fei Jie

April 23rd, 2009, 10:55 PM

Dundee seems to do this...promise big things then take years to act on it!

(although it is getting better...)

adammccall

April 24th, 2009, 12:36 AM

I just wonder why Scot rail are just so unwilling to do anything in Dundee in the first place?

It's a pity that we can't see any of the plans, but I hope they design something really majestic...

Something like this?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/1555693970_f6257828a6.jpg?v=0 :weird:

jeff_h

April 24th, 2009, 06:48 PM

From the Tele

West End councillor Fraser Macpherson today called on the Dundee City Council to release the design proposals drawn up by consultants for the city’s railway station (writes Bruce Robbins).

Cllr Macpherson, a former planning and transportation convener, said he was “absolutely astonished” that the Tele’s request to publish the plans — described by some council staff as “stunning” — had met with an initial refusal.

He said he could not understand why the request was denied and described the notion that they were not for public consumption as “preposterous”.

“The people of Dundee are entitled to see the plans — that had always been my intention when planning and transport convener — and I would hope that the new administration will now accept that the people of Dundee are entitled to be shown what the study team is proposing.

“After all, the council tax payers of Dundee have paid for the study.”

Deputy administration leader Councillor Bob Duncan said the council would be keen to publish the plans if it could be shown they were not commercially sensitive.

The SNP administration took power less than a month ago and Cllr Duncan said it had come as a surprise to find that the design proposals existed.

However, he added, “Fraser Macpherson is now calling for these plans to be released and I can’t understand why, when he was planning and transportation convener for the last few years, he didn’t release them himself when he clearly had the authority to do so.”

The design plan was first considered by the Dundee Waterfront Board last year.

The proposals were drawn up by transportation consultants McLean Hazel, Richard Murphy Architects and quantity surveyors Summers Inman as part of the ambitious plan to redevelop the city’s waterfront.

There were two options, one that envisaged a completely new station and another that involved a comprehensive makeover of the existing building.

Mr Macpherson said, “Whilst I think calling them stunning would be gilding the lily more than a little, there is no doubt that the plans, if implemented, would see a very substantial improvement to the rail station infrastructure.

“We would move from having an unimpressive station to securing an acceptable and modern one.

“Council leader Ken Guild has said he would investigate the possibility of making the plans public.

“I simply call on the city council to share the plans with the citizens of Dundee.

“I accept that the council may wish the plans fully finalised … but Dundee people should certainly be shown and be consulted upon improvements to the city’s railway station.

“A funding package has to be put together and it requires a whole lot more than platitudes to secure this. It involves ensuring that a number of partner organisations, including First ScotRail, Network Rail, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland, all buy in to the refurbishment proposals. They have to see the business case for this. This case does exist and can be proved.”

jeff_h

April 25th, 2009, 12:16 PM

From the Courier
By Laura Thomas
SECRET PLANS for a radical redesign of Dundee railway station were finally made public last night—but hopes of the dilapidated building undergoing an upgrade in the coming years were immediately dashed.

The council drawings, featuring sweeping curves, a cafe and retail units, provide a vision of what could replace the run-down structure which serves commuters and visitors.

However, Network Rail chiefs said a refurbishment would cost “tens of millions” and revealed no funds have been earmarked for the next five years at least.

The visuals were produced by architectural consultants on behalf of the previous Labour administration, and were intended as a concept for any investment by Network Rail.

The existence of the wish-list vision only came to light this week and the authority initially indicated that it was not for public consumption.

However, an image was released last night following pressure from local politicians, including Jim McGovern MP.

Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild has warned the much-discussed vision for the city’s railway station has no official status.

Mr Guild saw the visual representations for the first time yesterday, and cautioned that they are “not even plans.”

He said, “We have to be clear that Dundee City Council is not buying the city a new railway station. If Network Rail chooses to provide upgraded facilities for passengers at Dundee, this is the kind of building we would like to see.

“However, what it looks like should not divert us from the real issue, which is of course getting a new railway station for the city that fits in with our innovative vision for the waterfront.”

“These visuals were created as part of our search for the very best built environment at the central waterfront, and have no official status.

“No formal plans exist for Dundee Railway Station within the city council.”

The current station has come under criticism for lack of facilities and dated exterior, which would leave it sticking out like a sore thumb once the redevelopment of the city’s waterfront takes place.

Campaigners argue that there is a lack of provision for disabled commuters, and changes will need to be made if it is to cope with visitors flocking to the proposed Victoria and Albert Museum.

However, Dundee has been overlooked by Network Rail in favour of Edinburgh Waverley, which was awarded £130 million to improve access.

The organisation has identified its investment programme between now and 2014 and no funds are earmarked for a new station in Dundee.

If there was to be any redevelopment within that timeframe, it would need to be funded by an external source such as local or central government, a regional transport partnership, the local enterprise company, or a combination of those.

“A complete refurbishment of Dundee station would cost tens of millions of pounds and require the support of local and central government,” said a spokesman for Network Rail. “The current station is fit for purpose and we cannot spend millions on a project driven predominantly by aesthetic considerations.

“If the council is going to put forward a plan for redeveloping the station, supported by a business case and funding package, then we’ll be happy to review its proposals.”

NorthLimitation

April 25th, 2009, 01:38 PM

Ouch.

jeff_h

April 27th, 2009, 06:58 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/3472209294_d816071d77_o.jpg

New aerial shot of the waterfront showing the new Hoilday Inn Express (above the right approach ramp to Tay Road Bridge). The Panmure development at City Quay to the bottom right and the empty land below Apex Hotel at Victoria Dock is where Dundee One has started. Not long left for the Hilton Hotel, swimming baths and Tayside House (the three buildings on left next to Discovery with the overhead walkway).

jeff_h

April 28th, 2009, 07:47 PM

A total of £280 million will have been lavished on improvements at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station by the time Dundee gets its chance at refurbishment, it emerged today (writes James Williamson).

Network Rail has already decided which projects it will support over the next five years — and Dundee is not among them.

Instead, £130 million is to be made available for a new roof and other improvements at Waverley — on top of the £150 million platform reconfiguration works completed just 18 months ago.

But there appears to be little prospect of the much talked about improvements to Dundee Station coming to pass, with Network Rail claiming they do not have the “tens of millions” of pounds needed to upgrade the station, which they regard as “fit for purpose”.

Ken Guild, the leader of Dundee City Council, has stressed that the authority has no formal plans for a new building and the outline designs published last weekend are “not even plans”.

Though the current station building has been being described as an “eyesore” and a “blight” on the city’s waterfront area by politicians and business leaders, Network Rail has rejected their campaign as being driven by “aesthetic considerations”.

Campaigners have also pointed to bad access arrangements for the disabled, and the poor first impression the building gives visitors.

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern told the Tele he was “impressed” by the vision of how the new station could look.

“However, the fact Network Rail has said the train station is ‘fit for purpose’ and not an eyesore and dilapidated as most Dundee residents comment, means a refurbished, modern train station such as the one in the image released does not look promising,” he said.

“I am yet again disappointed that Network Rail has chosen not to invest in Dundee, despite a number of new and exciting projects in the city which will increase our numbers of visitors significantly.

“With the proposed branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Waterfront project, large numbers of new visitors will be arriving in Dundee, many of whom will arrive by train. The refurbishment of the station therefore makes real business sense, in addition to making the train station more accessible for disabled people.

“I am in no doubt Network Rail should be making the refurbishment a priority and I will be contacting them to secure a meeting on this issue as soon as possible.”

Earlier this month, Network Rail announced £130 million of funding for a new glass roof and improved access at Waverley.

Those works will also include the refurbishment of the station concourse, new canopies and platform furniture for platforms eight and nine and the repair and repainting of the station’s original ironwork.

A spokesperson for Network Rail told the Tele the Waverley works were “vital to the continued progress of the rail network in Scotland”.

He stressed that Waverley was in a unique position as both a terminus and through-station, which also acted as a “gateway” for services in Scotland.

“Network Rail works in five-year control periods, one of which has just started this month,” he said.

“As a result we’ve already identified what we need to invest in between now and 2014 and a new station in Dundee is not something for which funds have been earmarked.

“If there was to be any redevelopment within that time frame, it would need to be funded by an external source such as local or central government, a regional transport partnership, the local enterprise company, or a combination of the above.

“There also seems to rather a lot getting made of the investment in a new roof at Waverley. This isn’t something we’re doing because it will look nice, we’re doing it because the current roof has reached the end of its life and must be replaced to maintain a safe environment for passengers.”

Network Rail’s senior staff have not seen the Dundee vision, he added

FIT FOR PURPOSE - WHAT A LOAD OF BOLLOCKS!!! NETWORK RAIL - DUNDEE STATION HAS REACHED THE END OF ITS LIFE!

adammccall

April 28th, 2009, 09:50 PM

http://i42.tinypic.com/2rm2vz5.jpg
(picture taken in 2006- who would have thought eh!)

network rail----->:bash:<----- dundee

that report makes me really pissed off. it would be fair enough (with a grudge) if what they said was true about it being well equipped to meet the needs of the public.. but that's just not true!

Some observations (please add to this if you want):

Disabled access - it's just non existent
the automatic doors don't work properly, they either stay open and freeze the place, or don't open at all!
all other doors are far too heavy for some
the toilets are sparse, non disabled friendly and delapidated
the sitting area room outside is freezing and smells like piss
the old school bar heating doesn't work and is in no way environmentally friendly
the clocks are often broken
the RT info board is falling to bits
where the hell are the fire exits beside going up the stairs??
it looks fucking guggit

some pics (thanks to flickr):
http://i42.tinypic.com/347a5w4.jpghttp://i39.tinypic.com/wc1tgi.jpghttp://i41.tinypic.com/qwx01t.jpghttp://i39.tinypic.com/11icn0z.jpg(< notice pointless heater)

our "fit for purpose" roof compared to Waverley's oh-so-dilapidated roof:
http://i39.tinypic.com/rkooyb.jpg vs http://i42.tinypic.com/2v8jqer.jpg

Final thought: I don't think Stotrail are going to budge. They don't care, or else the funding would have become available ages ago. It's not like the councillors urging them to do something is anything new! :(

Right I better go and actually study for my planning exam tomorrow! grr

adammccall

April 28th, 2009, 10:05 PM

Oh one more thing before i go to study...

Read this article from last year.. almost the exact same date:

Train station 'from a bygone age' - 21st April 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7358850.stm

and then:

Anger over train station funding -30th April 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7375905.stm

It's like Deja vu.. same issue, same dates, same councillor, different year!!!

PS. happy 200th post Jeff!

jeff_h

April 29th, 2009, 07:44 PM

From the Tele

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/429577026_fe5ad24678_o.jpg

A multi-million pound development to turn of one of Dundee’s oldest jute mills into luxury homes has been hit by the credit crunch (writes Graeme Ogston).

The proposed £20 million revamp of the Wallace Craigie Works site on Broughty Ferry Road is on hold for at least 12 months, according to the company behind the project.

Planning permission to convert the mill into 145 units, comprising of a mixture of townhouses and flats, was granted in 2007.

However, property developer Bruce Linton of James Keiller Estates said the current economic climate and banks’ reluctance to fund flat developments had led to the decision to halt the project for the time being.

Mr Linton told the Tele, “We still hope to go ahead with it, but I can’t see it happening for another year.”

Mr Linton said that although initial clearing of the site had been completed some time ago, the next phase would not commence until the health of the housing sector improved.

Instead, he said, the company was focusing on its West Port retail, leisure and office project, which will include a casino and luxury apartments.

Mr Linton said, “We are busy with the West End development, which will be finished in September. It would be folly to take on too much too quickly in the current climate.”

The Broughty Ferry Road site was vacated by its previous owners, the now defunct textiles firm William Halley Group, in 2004.

Decontamination and excavation of the site, which included the removal of a large amount of asbestos from the derelict buildings, was completed in 2007 after a seven-month clear-up.

The project was expected to take around two years to complete, at a cost of around £20 million.

The main jute building, which is category B-listed, was to be converted into flats and townhouses with impressive views over the Tay.

jeff_h

April 30th, 2009, 11:17 PM

Found this great article from Sunday Herald (Please note Scottish Enterprise have confirmed the £33 million of funding to carry the project forward):)

A soon-to-be-announced plan promises to give Dundee a new look to match its transformed status
By Steven Vass, Deputy Business Editor

THESE ARE tense times at Tayside House, the unloved concrete tower block that is headquarters to Dundee City Council. Council leaders are waiting to hear whether Scottish Enterprise will commit the £30 million-plus to the city's waterfront regeneration project that will allow the vital next phase of work to go ahead.

Confirmation is taking longer than expected, and although nothing suggests funding is in doubt, Dundee is a place where recessions conjure particularly nasty memories. From jute mills to manufacturers such as Timex to NCR, the locals know that bad things happen when economies turn down. With the project at the centre of the city's plans for its future and Scottish Enterprise's salary freezes well known, no-one is likely to feel comfortable until they see signatures on cheques.

There might be many cities redeveloping their waterfronts around the UK, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, but few aim to transform their city centres as dramatically as Dundee. The city has made economic strides forward in recent years in areas such as bioscience and computer gaming, but there is nothing in the urban landscape immediately outside the railway station that expresses to the visitor - or to Dundonians - how dramatically the city has escaped its grim modern history.

In the shadow of the Tay Road Bridge there is an ugly gap of more than 100 metres between the waterfront and the city centre proper, filled only with 1970s monoliths like Tayside House and the Hilton hotel, plus wasteland and a tangle of busy roads. HMS Discovery and its popular tourist centre, the only visible attraction, stand several intimidating traffic lanes away. Those with better things to do would be forgiven for catching the next train south and never seeing the beautiful old streets and Victorian relics of the city's past commercial greatness only a 10-minute walk away.

Councillor Jim Barrie, a member of the SNP opposition, says: "Things started to go down from the 1960s, when they knocked down a lot of the old buildings. In the dock area, we had the Royal Arch, which was the gateway into the area, and removing it in 1964 took away the focal point. When they built the road bridge in 1966, they filled in a lot of the docks and people stopped coming down."

The council has been plotting a radical redesign for the past 10 years that will see almost the entire area bulldozed to allow the city centre to be stretched into the gap. When the project fully completes in about 30 years, or possibly much sooner, the council wants shining new buildings, hopefully including a Victoria & Albert museum, pedestrian-friendly boulevards and a properly integrated central square, all inspired by the transformations of the likes of Barcelona and Lisbon.

"Scottish Enterprise permitting, the project will attract a total of £70m in public money and considerably more once private developers have paid for the buildings. As Mike Galloway, head of planning at the council and overseer of the masterplan, makes clear, it is about far more than just aesthetics.

"We are not doing it just to make an area pretty. This is at the very core of our economic strategy for continuing the process of restructuring our local economy," he says.

The waterfront project, coupled with a boom in private development, has created a sense that the city has started reviving since the long stagnation following the end of the jute and jam days 50 years ago.

Dithering Labour councils in the 1970s, when George Galloway was a rising political star in the city, saw Dundee lose the chance to be the country's oil capital to Aberdeen. Successive manufacturers came and went and the city became a byword for post-industrial misery. Scarred by brutal post-war town planning, high unemployment and deprivation, there were times when Dundee United's golden era of the early 1980s must have seemed the only consolation.

By the end of that decade, council leaders decided that enough was enough. They accepted that the manufacturing heyday would never return and they stopped subsidising unproductive factories on the edges of the city. Instead they decided to develop a knowledge economy, using grants and subsidies to develop strengths in research and intellectual property, including heavy emphasis on spin-outs from Dundee and Abertay universities and partnerships with Ninewells hospital. Twenty years later, the results have been moderately impressive. According to a recent study by Experian, the city's annual economic growth rate since 1999 has been 2.1%, in line with the Scottish average.

Through the likes of medical testing specialist Axis-Shield, drug developer CXR Bioscience and the Wellcome Trust Biomedical Research Centre, the Dundee area now employs more than 4000 people in bioscience, amounting to around 2% of jobs and around 15% of those in the sector across Scotland. In digital media, where Grand Theft Auto creator Realtime Worlds leads a sector of around 350 local companies, the 3300 jobs represent 1% of the city total. These might still be relatively small employers, but they have helped create knock-on prosperity that has pushed the median gross weekly wage to £465.60, which is £5.50 higher than the Scottish average.

The downside has been that unemployment remains ahead of the country, running to 4.2% last November compared to Scotland's 2.8%. The Dundee figure rose 0.7 points year on year. This will have been aggravated by the ongoing decline of manufacturing, which has seen ATM machine maker NCR continually announcing fresh redundancies in the past decade along with big closures such as Wood Group's Baldovie aeronautics plant, the Levi Strauss factory, Simclar sheet metal fabrication and Yorkshire Fittings. With NCR and tyre maker Michelin now the two largest manufacturers in the area, employing just hundreds when once the jute mills alone employed over 60,000, manufacturing's residual 9.5% of local city jobs is down 1.5 points from only three years ago. The big replacement has been call centres, with Tesco, BT, the Scottish government, the Inland Revenue and outsourcer Client Logic UK leading the pack. Norwich Union's announcement last autumn that it was withdrawing 350 jobs from the city indicated that these centres can be little more stable than manufacturing, but for now the momentum is mostly upward: in the seven years from 1999 to 2006, financial and business services grew by a third to 24,600 jobs or 13% of those in the city region.

Elsewhere the biggest employers remain the council, the NHS and Dundee University, while other big private employers include Sunday Post publisher DC Thomson, investment manager Alliance Trust and contract services provider Tayside Contracts. Still more people are employed by small businesses, and there is a belief that Dundee will escape the worst of the recession as its economy is more diversified. This could be important news amid all the banking and property carnage in the central belt.

Alan Mitchell, chief executive of the Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, says there has been progress but wants the Scottish government to help improve transport infrastructure. The main bugbears are that there are too few trains from the central belt and too few flight destinations from the city's airport.

Yet if the overall picture looks encouraging rather than astonishing, the council and private developers are convinced that they can attract much more business to the city if they build things. Mike Galloway of the council, who has previously overseen major city projects in Glasgow, Manchester and London, says the waterfront project has already been in construction for three years. The ring-road around the railway station has been realigned, the enclosed pedestrian bridge towards the centre demolished and the tunnel that takes the railway beneath Dock Street strengthened. This made it possible for the private construction of the new Holiday Inn Express on adjacent Gellatly Street, which opened last year.

While this was happening, developers have been putting up offices, luxury flats and hotels.

Bruce Linton, a local entrepreneur who is building a major mixed-use complex fronted by a casino at Marketgait and will soon start a 140-bedroom hotel at Greenmarket, says that office demand is being driven by the fact that a lot of the old lettable spaces around the edge of the city have been pulled down.

On hotels, he says: "The occupancy rates of the Hilton have never dropped below 82%. The Apex when it opened didn't make a dent, though its occupancy is 80% to 85%. The Holiday Inn hasn't made any difference to them either."

He says that life sciences among others ensures a stream of business conferences, while golfing tourists use Dundee as a cheap base so that they can save their money for the courses at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Gleneagles.

Less encouragingly, the council admitted that the £50m extension to the Overgate shopping centre will likely be slowed by the downturn, while residential progress took a knock from developer Duncarse going into administration, freezing its planned £30m complex for 200 luxury flats. Yet everyone is stressing that Overgate will still happen and work continues on other residential developments such as The Clock Tower and the 12-storey Wave.

The council hopes that it can pick up any slack with the next phase of the waterfront, which concerns the road bridge. Its web of ramps will be redrawn to make way for the main new development. This big job will take three years, at the end of which Tayside House, the equally ugly Olympia Leisure Centre and probably also the Hilton will be demolished. There will be feasibility studies for the Victoria & Albert, redeveloping the railway station and moving the planned marina several hundred metres to the east, since there are water depth problems with the location.

Says Galloway: "Once the phase three infrastructure works are complete, we will start to see the new development sites in the centre of the waterfront becoming available for the private sector. The idea is to time the release of these opportunities with us emerging from the current credit situation."

The hope is that as the private developers put up the buildings, the council will get on with constructing the boulevards and central square. The deadline for public works is 2021, although Galloway is allowing 30 years to get the private buildings all completed.

For now, he can do little but wait until Scottish Enterprise gives the final word on the budget, consoled by the fact that everyone of influence seems to think that his vision is the right one for the city.

Bruce Linton is one of many who has nothing but praise. He says: "The bottom was 10 years ago and we have slowly and surely been climbing out of it.

"Dundonians are very resilient, but it was Mike Galloway that brought the vision. He has taken the council along with him. For developers, the council has been leading the way."

If this keeps happening, even in defiance of these dark times, Dundee's worst years will have passed.

Looks like good times ahead :cheers:

dufc1909

May 4th, 2009, 11:30 AM

I see there is a new job advertisement for Chief Executive for the Corporate planning department responsible to Dundee City council.

It comes with a yearly salary of £132K + . . .

Job Purpose

"To provide strategic leadership, direction and motivation in achieving the four core aims of the Council Plan to:

create and work towards a vision for Dundee with all our community planning partners;
modernise and improve services for the public in Dundee;
make the best use of the public resources in the City;
deliver Single Outcome Agreement. "

Lets just hope we get someone who can think outside the box delivering joined up thinking & strategic planning with a blue sky outlook.
Or maybe even a new railway station.

jeff_h

May 13th, 2009, 10:20 AM

THE PROJECT team backing plans to bring an extension of the Victoria & Albert Museum to Dundee said it is confident it can secure funding in the next Scottish Government spending review.

A spokesman for Dundee University, which is handling the group’s publicity, said that money was never expected to be available under the government’s present spending review.

Dundee-based MSP Marlyn Glen had urged culture minister Mike Russell to guarantee funding for the project.

After Mr Russell’s refusal to give a firm commitment, said she would be asking him to re-examine his spending priorities “to enable the V&A in Dundee to become a new icon for the city.”

The spokesman said, “The project team for V&A: Making It Happen, has been in close contact with the Scottish Government regarding the project.

“As was outlined in the feasibility study, there is no expectation of any funding being announced under the current spending review.

“We will continue to work with the Scottish Government with a view to securing funding under the next spending review.

“We are confident that an appropriate funding model can be agreed and that the project will bring huge benefits to Dundee and Scotland.”

Fei Jie

May 13th, 2009, 04:41 PM

132K....WOW!

Hope he...or she...brings a real drive and commitment to the position.

Good luck to them.

jeff_h

May 18th, 2009, 07:54 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/3543355766_53663d9169.jpg

No its not the aftermath of World War 2, after the demolition of the Old Overgate, the wave of demolition in Dundee continued - look at the hole created by the demolition of the Old Wellgate and Victoria Road Circa 1975 thanks to http://www.retrodundee.blogspot.com please have a visit for more pics.

zipper

May 19th, 2009, 08:57 AM

thought this might interest you Jeff :)

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Alileith/emg1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Alileith/emg2.jpg

djmacdonald73

May 28th, 2009, 05:55 PM

I see most of the scaffolding has come down form one side of the casino, doesn`t look that impressive going by the part I`ve seen. Hopefully it`ll be more impressive once it`s complete.

jeff_h

May 28th, 2009, 07:54 PM

Letter in tonight's Tele

In light of recent letters on the status of the V&A at Dundee project I felt as a member of the steering group it’s appropriate to comment.
The Project Steering Group is engaged in very positive discussions with the civil service team responsible for advising the Minister for Culture on this project. We have also met with a range of politicians from all parties and believe that the project has broad cross-party political support at the very highest level.

The fact remains that this is an ambitious and extremely complex project which will require an innovative funding model. All of our discussions with the Scottish Government have been predicted on the model of joint public, private and charitable funding.

This funding model is on track to meet the anticipated timescales.

There has also been some suggestion that the V&A could in some way be ‘superimposed’ on the newly-refurbished McManus Galleries. This is an interesting idea but essentially unworkable in the long-term. Indeed, it would both be disadvantageous and disrespectful to the city’s own wonderful art collections which are to be housed in the McManus.

The idea of creating a world-class building through the medium of an international architecture competition is an integral part of the V&A project.

A truly stunning building on the city’s newly-developing waterfront would provide additional visitor numbers which would in turn boost the number of visitors to McManus Galleries, DCS and to other cultural attractions in Dundee.

We believe this project will place Dundee on the map as the place to visit and see the best in art and design. — Professor Georgina Follett, Deputy Principle, University of Dundee.

jeff_h

May 28th, 2009, 07:58 PM

Cheers for the mock ups of the pool Zipper, planning has been granted however there seems to be a row brewing!

A DUNDEE CITY councillor has raised concerns about funding for the planned £22 million replacement for the Olympia Leisure Centre, following delays in a similar project in Aberdeen.

Labour opposition councillor Mohammed Asif said he would be seeking assurances from the council about the financial arrangements for the project, especially the £3 million which is being sought from sportscotland.

However, the council’s depute chief executive (finance) David Dorward said he was not aware of any problems with the funding bid, which was progressing as anticipated.

Mr Dorward said there could be no absolute guarantee that the bid would be successful but he had no reason to think otherwise at this stage.

Councillor Bob Duncan, leisure and communities committee convener, said he was confident the money to build the new centre would be secured.

The council is planning to spend a total of £30 million on a project to replace the ageing Olympia with a new centre, incorporating an Olympic-sized 50m swimming pool, and a linked multi-storey car park for 500 vehicles.

A planning application for the project on a section of the existing East Whale Lane (Allan Street) surface-level car park was approved by the development quality committee last week.

Funding for the new centre— excluding the car park—is expected to comprise £11 million of prudential borrowing by the council, £4 million of capital receipts from the sale of other land and property, £3 million in grants from sportscotland, and £4 million from the council’s capital plan.

Sportscotland is the national agency for sport and a non- departmental body responsible through Scottish Government ministers to the Scottish Parliament.

The new centre would be owned by the council and managed by Dundee Leisure, which already looks after former local authority leisure facilities in the city.

Mr Asif said he was delighted the plans for the new centre had received the unanimous approval of the committee.

“I think it is really impressive and it will be an opportunity for Dundee to maintain its position as a major centre for swimming in Scotland,” he said.

“Clearly it is very important that the project becomes more than just plans…and this is why I have written to the director of leisure and communities asking for an update on funding for the proposal.

“I am particularly concerned about funding from sportscotland and I will be looking for the director to give me a clear idea of when the project will be able to progress and when the funding will be available.”

Mr Asif said he had noted recent reports about a similar project in Aberdeen which had apparently been supported by the Scottish Government more than a year ago but had not progressed and there was some dubiety about the funding.

Mr Dorward said a stage one bid to sportscotland had been accepted and a stage two bid was just submitted by the council.

“It could take a few months before we know the outcome of the bid and, while I can’t guarantee it will be successful, there has been nothing in the many meetings officers have had with sportscotland to suggest that there are any problems,” he said.

Mr Duncan said the design team had been working hard to achieve the right balance of facilities to be included in the centre.

“Sportscotland are keen that it should be a centre of excellence for swimming and include elements like the 50-metre pool,” he said.

“It is also important that it should be a centre which will appeal to local people—families and children—so we need to have facilities which will be entertaining and fun for them to use.”

jeff_h

May 28th, 2009, 08:09 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3573962642_71d8c3664c_o.jpg

What the developer said : We worked with the client to develop the most appropriate construction solution for the landmark city centre development. The project incorporates leisure, retail, office accommodation and serviced apartments.

We used a concrete frame, providing large open plan areas up to first floor first floor and upper mezzanine levels while a lightweight steel structure completes the four upper levels. A range of external finishes included facing brickwork, coloured composite cladding panels and glazing.

This brownfield site required remediation, and we needed to work within a constrained area and next to major traffic routes and infrastructure.

The project provides:
Two Bar/Restaurants
3,500sqft and 6,500sqft.
9,485sqft Retail unit.
30,000 sqft Casino.
22,000sqft Second floor self contained offices.
23 Serviced residential apartments.

Reserve judgement on this until all the scaffolding is off! The brickwork does blend in with the jute mills though, I'll give it that!!

Monkey9000

May 28th, 2009, 08:34 PM

Doesn't really look like a casino much in that photo!? Surely it's supposed to be a Pyramid or covered in classical columns or something wacky! ;)

dufc1909

May 29th, 2009, 11:19 AM

A bit of good news on BBC Scotland website today.

Scots cities 'hot business hubs'

Computer games such as Grand Theft Auto were developed in Scotland
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee have been tipped as new business hubs in the UK.

A report from banking group HSBC has forecasted a change in the kind of industry which could develop in the UK during this century.

Computer gaming, robotics, stem cell research and renewable energies are some of the sectors which could see the most rapid growth.

The report said competition and the high cost of living was forcing many entrepreneurs to the north.

It predicts that cities in the north of England and in Scotland would benefit from an influx of creative and business skills.

All three Scottish cities identified in the report would emerge as hot spots for the computer gaming industry, it said.

Scotland is already home to some world class gaming companies with titles such as Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings developed by Scottish studios.

Health benefits

Dundee is also likely to become a hub for the nutraceuticals, which are foods which have health and beauty benefits.

The report has suggested that this area of business will become much more important with an ageing population.

According to research, the market is worth £50bn globally.

Researchers have predicted that robotics will play an increasingly important role in society as the century progresses.

Edinburgh is said to be among six other cities in the UK which will be at the forefront of this technology.

The report, which was jointly produced by The Future Laboratory, said the evidence and insights it gathered from 500 entrepreneurs across the country suggested the UK's business landscape was facing its biggest shake up since the industrial revolution.

jeff_h

June 1st, 2009, 07:36 PM

From Architecture Scotland

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1434/1382278121_68424f35b5_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3586386010_09e22d21f2_o.jpg

An important clocktower in Dundee, sandwiched between the cities two surviving docks, Victoria and Camperdown, has been carefully restored by Unicorn Property Group to provide loft style living spaces.

Rising to six storeys the A listed stone structure dominates the harbour area, necessary for allowing ships from bygone eras to set their clocks for voyages around the world. This historic exterior belies the contemporary interior however which sports underfloor heating, solid floor finishes, luxury tiling and all the latest mod cons.

Tim Allan, director of Unicorn Property Group, said “The Clocktower’s former importance as a warehouse is matched as a symbol of the link between the city’s maritime past and its future. We hope people will see the ClockTower as the embodiment of all that is exciting about a modern, aspirational Dundee.”

Unicorn Property Group are heavily involved in the redevelopment of Dundee, notably with City Quay, a bid to provide a new residential and commercial quarter for a city said to have the last waterfront in Europe to be modernised.

adammccall

June 2nd, 2009, 09:18 PM

http://www.vincentchow.net/images/burger-king-ads.jpg

This development really makes me pretty happy being the fast food junky that I am.

I have been really pissed off at burger king for ages because they have only one measly unit on the kingsway which is no good for the non drivers like myself... BUT

Burger King have confirmed that they are opening TWO new units in the town after all these years! :shocked:

One in the Overgate and one one in the Wellgate (both ten year leases)

jeff_h

June 3rd, 2009, 07:45 PM

Always thought it weird in a city the size of Dundee there were no BK's in the City Centre!

Burger King will shortly beef up its presence in Scotland with the launch of three new restaurants, assisted by property agents Cushman & Wakefield.

The Miami-based chain will shortly open two outlets in Dundee at the Wellgate and Overgate Shopping Centres and has recently opened one at Xscape in Braehead, to satisfy the public’s appetite for good quality dining.

Stuart Moncur, Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Edinburgh operation, said: “These three acquisitions demonstrate Burger King’s commitment to expand its representation in Scotland, as well as across the UK.

“Burger King continues to trade well in Scotland and this is jointly down to the quality of their offer and the prevailing economic climate. The company plans to capitalise on the current climate by opening further new stores in high profile locations in the coming months.”

Burger King has agreed a new lease at Unit 19 at Overgate Shopping Centre on a 10 year effectively full repairing and insuring (FRI) lease at a rental of £70,000 per annum. The landlord is Lend Lease who were advised by SGM.

Also in Dundee, the company has acquired Unit 6, Wellgate Shopping Centre on a 10 year effectively FRI lease at a commencing rent of £30,000 per annum. The landlord is M&G Property Portfolio,c/o Prudential Asset Managers.

adammccall

June 3rd, 2009, 11:58 PM

Always thought it weird in a city the size of Dundee there were no BK's in the City Centre!

Haha yep me too! I always thought that if I had the money I would set up a franchise in the city centre because that would be a real money maker!

Just look at KFC.. we had none in Dundee, but after the first one in Camperdown opened they sprang up all over the place so there must be real money to be made.

It was in the Tele yesterday, but I found another report from the SPN network..
Burger King will shortly beef up its presence in Scotland with the launch of three new restaurants, assisted by property agents Cushman & Wakefield.

The Miami-based chain will shortly open two outlets in Dundee at the Wellgate and Overgate Shopping Centres and has recently opened one at Xscape in Braehead, to satisfy the public’s appetite for good quality dining.

Stuart Moncur, Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Edinburgh operation, said: “These three acquisitions demonstrate Burger King’s commitment to expand its representation in Scotland, as well as across the UK.

“Burger King continues to trade well in Scotland and this is jointly down to the quality of their offer and the prevailing economic climate. The company plans to capitalise on the current climate by opening further new stores in high profile locations in the coming months.”

Burger King has agreed a new lease at Unit 19 at Overgate Shopping Centre on a 10 year effectively full repairing and insuring (FRI) lease at a rental of £70,000 per annum. The landlord is Lend Lease who were advised by SGM.

Also in Dundee, the company has acquired Unit 6, Wellgate Shopping Centre on a 10 year effectively FRI lease at a commencing rent of £30,000 per annum.

The landlord is M&G Property Portfolio,c/o Prudential Asset Managers.

In other food related investment things for Dundee... Where the F**K is Pizza Express?
I found this: http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/open-a-pizza-express-in-dundee.html

Monkey9000

June 4th, 2009, 08:56 PM

Wouldn't be too sad there's no Burger Kings in Dundee, I can't think of any in Glasgow city centre, except the one's in the train stations with the inflated prices.

djmaxliving

June 4th, 2009, 09:39 PM

And don't forget the one in Buchanan Galleries.

maccoinnich

June 4th, 2009, 09:57 PM

I barely recognise McDonald's these days - it's all multicoloured Arne Jacobsen furniture.

jeff_h

June 5th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Here is an interesting one submitted for planning this week!! Cafe Tram Car on original tram lines selling takeaway, snacks and drinks- Opposite 84 High Street Dundee http://bwarrant.dundeecity.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KIE541GC08200&searchtype=WEEKLY

djmacdonald73

June 7th, 2009, 02:38 PM

That would be pretty interesting and unique, haven`t heard of it being done anywhere else! Whereabouts exactly is 84 High Street? Across from the old Arnotts?

adammccall

June 8th, 2009, 07:50 PM

Hmm

I like the idea but after reading the proposal, I'm not overly convinced this will be as good as it sounds..

It seems like they are using it in the same way as the hotdog stands at carnivals: No mains supply of anything, and no fixed abode.

They want to put a giant cover on it when not in use, possibly remove and reinstate the actual tram from and to the site every trading day and use generators to supply its power.

To me it sounds like it is something that will appear at special events, but I can't see it lasting as a permenant fixture.

Also, cueing and waste disposal would be a nightmare I'd guess

BUT....

They have put alot of effort and money into restoring it and its originality and heritage may meen that it might work out to be an excellent proposition

adammccall

June 9th, 2009, 10:12 PM

http://www.mcmanus.co.uk/the-future/prupdate0509.htm

Check out the newest pictures from teh Mcmanus Galleries!

The grand staircase looks amazing!!

http://www.mcmanus.co.uk/the-future/images/update58.jpg

Paninari

June 15th, 2009, 10:54 AM

I actually know the guy behind the project relating to the tram proposal, hes done something similar with an old railway carriage and Victorian station development at the waterfront on riverside drive.

From what i recall the the tram will be a permanent fixture and he's looking to get in permanent power and water into it but I think in the document online he wanted to determine the degree of flexibility he is prepared to go to by using generators etc should councilors try and throw a spanner in the works for any reason.

I think its always to to demonstrate your worst case scenario anything more could be agreed moving forward.

djmacdonald73

June 15th, 2009, 11:41 PM

Ah, that`s the Bridgeview cafe you`re talking about - I actually popped in there last Sunday just to see what it was like (never been before). I was kind of disapointed that they haven`t actually incorporated the carriage into part of the cafe, it just sits outside and is used for storage. It would have been more of a "tourist draw" IMO if they`d restored the seats and tables inside the coach for customers to sit in.

Paninari

June 16th, 2009, 03:23 PM

According to the notice outside, by the end of the month it will be used for people who require a take away food service, i think they intend to have folk wait on the platform to be served kind of like a real station...i think its a great idea!

jeff_h

June 16th, 2009, 06:57 PM

...To replace the current one is about to be unveiled as I noticed the one coming in from Perth has gone and a replacement one has gone up shrouded in black. Probably be announced in next few days.

jeff_h

June 16th, 2009, 06:58 PM

WORK has started on a massive tank to collect storm water and store it at the new Dundee waterfront.

Part of the multi million pound transformation of the area, the tank will allow other major changes to take place by ensuring that the low lying area of the central waterfront is protected from flooding.

Large enough to store enough rainwater to fill 1.6 million kettles the tank, which will be sited east of the Hilton Hotel, will be completely hidden underground when it is finished.

Ken Guild chairman of the Dundee Waterfront board said: "This huge piece of the jigsaw is fundamental to the completion of this visionary project and without it none of the development planned for the transformed waterfront would be sustainable.

"There would be a serious risk of flooding the first time a high tide coincided with an exceptionally heavy downpour, so it is crucial to the successful completion of the strategy."

Funding has come from Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise, which approved a £33m package as part of its commitment to improving the country's built environment earlier this year.

AMCO were selected as the successful bidders for the work on the tank which is expected to take around a year to complete.

The concrete tank, around two metres below the surface, will have a concrete deck on top as it will eventually be under a new road which will form part of the street grid pattern later in the project.

Because of its location on the grassed area to the east of the Hilton Hotel, work on building the tank will have no impact on drivers.

The complexity and the overall length of the next phase of works at the waterfront, which include the tank's construction, is partly caused by the need to minimise the impact on road and bridge users, and to ensure the city is open for business as usual during the implementation of these major works.

jeff_h

June 16th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Nic Russell of Nicol Russell Studios was interviewed on STV tonight saying that they were going back to Historic Scotland with a revised argument to get listed building consent....watch this space. PS How long do these things take and surely re-use of the building is betterthan it lying dilapadated.:ohno:

NorthLimitation

June 16th, 2009, 09:02 PM

McManus Galleries is looking excellent! :happy:

djmacdonald73

June 17th, 2009, 12:04 AM

McManus Galleries is looking excellent! :happy:

I agree, I`m pretty excited to see the finished product! I believe it`s to open towards the end of the year?

SeoulDee

June 17th, 2009, 06:00 AM

...To replace the current one is about to be unveiled as I noticed the one coming in from Perth has gone and a replacement one has gone up shrouded in black. Probably be announced in next few days.

The new Dundee City logo is already available online.

http://creativedundee.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ff3707e8833011570008dde970c-500wi

http://www.creativedundee.com/2009/06/one-city-many-discoveries.html

dufc1909

June 17th, 2009, 11:25 AM

All good stuff . . . .

Thanks for the info Jeff.

I like the new logo . .

I do have a problem calculating just how much water 1.6 million kettles hold.

Could someone please tell me in gallons or litres . . . and will this stop the premise`s on Whitehall Cres from flooding ?

A friend of mine has just visited the city and tells me of a sculpture down by the docks of a boat made up of granite ? slabs which he says is fab. . . could someone post a couple of photos please.

The Duke

June 17th, 2009, 11:43 AM

DUFC

Try this....

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/tayside/82616-sculpture-of-discovery-unveiled-in-dundee/

Ahhhh

June 17th, 2009, 12:01 PM

Most kettles are 1.5 litres so: 2.4 million litres, or thereabouts - roughly the same as an olympic sized swimming pool :)

SeoulDee

June 17th, 2009, 02:32 PM

Most kettles are 1.5 litres so: 2.4 million litres, or thereabouts - roughly the same as an olympic sized swimming pool :)

If that storm water tank is only about the size of an olympic pool, surely that's nowhere near big enough to prevent the flash flooding thats happened in Dundee in recent years. Just the water that pours down Dens Road/Victoria Road during these heavy thunderstorms would fill an olympic pool in minutes. This water all ends up in Seagate/Trades Lane area. I've seen the Seagate thigh deep at Marks and Spencers in the past few years.

Also, i read it's only going 2 metres beneath the surface. Does that mean they won't be able to build on top of it?

jeff_h

June 20th, 2009, 12:53 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2484075270_6bdbe3d7d6_o.jpg

DUNDEE’S PLANNING convener Will Dawson last night promised that the redeveloped city waterfront will have a human face that people can relate to.

Councillor Dawson was responding to concerns voiced by the City Centre and Harbour Community Council, whose members fear the ambitious project is about to be taken over by big business.

The community council said that the waterfront masterplan has moved from a vision of wide-open civic spaces that would re-connect the city centre with the river to a desire to fill the extensive space with office blocks.

However, the convener denied the focus has shifted and pledged that the original idea of a welcoming waterfront was still the driving force behind the regeneration.

He said, “The human element has always been an important part of it.

“We will have a big civic space and a mix of businesses, flats and commercial enterprises, just like the city centre is now.

“I think the problem that some people may have is that there’s no real design on the ground yet—what we have at the moment is a vision.

“That’s why we want to get the City Centre and Harbour Community Council involved on the waterfront design advisory group.

“There’s been no need to convene it until now, because there hasn’t been anything substantial to talk about.”

The community council’s survey of around 100 people found that 94% of them wanted a substantial area of the waterfront left for leisure and parkland.

Although there is provision in the waterfront plan for civic areas, planners and land owners at the waterfront have to approach the development on a commercial basis.

That is why the council believes there must be a commercial aspect to some of the developments.

The community council has been critical of other aspects of the development, including the siting of the Dundee One building, which the body described as a “high office block.”

Community council vice-chairman Brian Massie claimed this land was once part of the central waterfront but had been re-designated as City Quay by the council’s planning director to avoid a height restriction in place on the waterfront site.

Mr Galloway rejected the accusation, stressing that Dundee One—part of which will be occupied by the forensic science lab—is not and never has been part of the central waterfront project.

Mr Galloway said, “The masterplan proposes that a third of the floor space in the waterfront will be housing, a third will be leisure/commercial and a third will be offices.

“This type of mix is exactly the same as one finds in other very popular and attractive waterfronts across the world and by no means would it result in Dundee being dominated by office developments.

“The masterplan also proposes that substantial areas of the waterfront will be set aside as open space in a variety of forms and functions for the public to enjoy.

“The proposed new green square at the heart of the area will be four times the size of the existing City Square, the proposed Station Square will be twice its size and the central water feature will be three times its size.”

Mr Galloway said the Dundee One land is not owned by the Waterfront Partnership and, therefore, there was no ability for the project to impose any restrictions on that development.

He added, “In any case, the masterplan seeks to create a medium-rise scale of development in the waterfront to match the historic character of the adjacent city centre.”

The planning director said the council will invite participants to join the design advisory group for its first meeting in August, and Mr Massie will receive an invitation to join the group and contribute to its work.

Townie Tam

June 20th, 2009, 11:33 PM

SeoulDee -

This plan shows the location of the storm water tank (in blue).

http://freespace.virgin.net/b.massie/Waterfront-1-0f-18.jpg

If you look at the graphic in the previous post, the tank would appear to sited underneath the "water feature".

jeff_h

June 22nd, 2009, 08:11 PM

I have beem reliably informed that the tank will be sited underneath the road not the proposed water feature.

Townie Tam

June 23rd, 2009, 08:56 AM

The above plan, dated Feb '08, must have been updated since last September then, when the presentation containing the plan was doing the rounds?

SeoulDee

June 23rd, 2009, 11:45 AM

I seem to remember hearing that the marina is being moved east of the originally planned location due to some technical reason. I'm not sure where exactly the marina is planned to go now.

Community council vice-chairman Brian Massie claimed this land was once part of the central waterfront but had been re-designated as City Quay by the council’s planning director to avoid a height restriction in place on the waterfront site.

Is there a height restriction in place for the waterfront development? That's dissapointing if it's true. More Riverside Drive and South Marketgait style, mediocre, tin shed office blocks.

Townie Tam

June 23rd, 2009, 08:07 PM

Hi SeoulDee.

I seem to remember hearing that the marina is being moved east of the originally planned location due to some technical reason. I'm not sure where exactly the marina is planned to go now.
The problem was that way back when the initial proposals were being formulated, it is said that nobody thought to ask people, who know about the river, about the marina idea.

When the original 3D view was published (see below), the council was told by these people (who were/are regular users of the river) that it wouldn't work because it appeared that the council hadn't realised that the Tay is tidal and the wee boats would be lying in silt, unable to move, when the tide continued to go out twice day without asking the council if that would be ok with them...

http://www.dcthomson.co.uk/images/waterfront.jpg

As far as I'm aware, Camperdown Dock is now being researched as a possible marina location.

Is there a height restriction in place for the waterfront development? That's dissapointing if it's true. More Riverside Drive and South Marketgait style, mediocre, tin shed office blocks.
I don't think there is a height restriction as such, only an indication.

At the 2005 AGM of the City Centre & Harbour Community Council, Mike Galloway (Director of Planning and Transportation) was asked by residents of Dock Street how high the buildings in the Central Waterfront area would be. They were told that they would be no taller than the existing buildings in Dock Street so that they would not overshadow them. This mollified the residents' concerns.

The Community Council has not forgotten that he said that...

adammccall

June 24th, 2009, 02:16 PM

thanks for that tam! Good info there.

jeff_h

June 24th, 2009, 04:39 PM

DUNDEE HAS drafted in a group of celebrity “ambassadors” to help spread the word about a new campaign that encourages people to discover more about the city.

The City of Discovery message—which was first used more than two decades ago—is being replaced with the slogan One City, Many Discoveries and a logo based on a spark.

Helping to illuminate key discoveries about the city, the “ambassadors” are high-profile individuals who reveal the stories they believe show how Dundee became what it is.

Among those signed up are Hollywood actor Brian Cox, scientist Sir Philip Cohen, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, gaming entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl and musician and composer Ged Grimes, who urged other residents to become involved by contributing their own personal stories and discoveries about the city through Dundee & Me.

Anyone with something to say about the city can submit answers to topics such as “what excites you about Dundee?” and “what’s Dundee’s best kept secret?” via www.dundee.com.

A selection of the submissions will be published on the website and also incorporated in a new guide to the city.

The story considered to best represent the spirit of the city and its new vision will be selected by a judging panel and made into a short film.

Having grown up in the city, Ged, the founding member of 80s band Danny Wilson is confident his fellow Dundonians will have a diverse range of inspiring stories to tell.

He said, “I think Dundonians are proud of the city—I certainly am—but it’s time for us to rediscover what we like about it and talk about it more.

“Dundee is one of the most creative cities in the country—full of innovation and talent.

“It’s not really the Dundonian way to shout about ourselves but there is a lot of exciting stuff going on here that people just don’t know about.

“Dundee & Me is a great way for locals to share what’s good about the city.”

The new vision has been funded with a £73,000 investment from the council economic development department’s city marketing budget.

Councillor Will Dawson, economic development convener said, “While Dundee has been linked with the notion of ‘discovery’ for many years, there is still much more to the city than many people know—whether it’s the world leading research taking place here or our thriving digital and creative industries.

“Our new One City, Many Discoveries campaign builds on our heritage and, fittingly as we move forward with our ambitious waterfront development, represents the next exciting chapter in Dundee’s story.”

The campaign aims to reflect contemporary Dundee’s status as home to a pioneering life sciences sector, a digital media industry and two major universities.

Those behind the council-led project said the city offers “major potential and opportunity”—not least through its ongoing £300 million waterfront development.

Mr Dawson said, “Our Dundee Ambassadors—truly inspirational individuals who represent the city’s many faces—have already shared their personal discoveries as part of our new campaign.

“Now we want to hear from the people of Dundee.”

jeff_h

June 24th, 2009, 09:06 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2452567234_1efd4660aa_o.jpg

A milestone in the £30 million West Port development in Dundee was marked recently when the city’s Lord Provost led an historic topping out ceremony on the roof of the six-storey building.

The third phase of the West Marketgait scheme is under construction by Stewart Milne Construction on behalf of Marketgait Developments. It represents a significant link in the overall redevelopment of the west city centre which includes an extension to the Overgate Shopping Centre and a new headquarters building for Dundee City Council.

Convener of Dundee City Council's economic development committee, Lord Provost John Letford said: "The redevelopment of this part of the city centre, as well as the central waterfront, is key to delivering our vision of a prosperous, vibrant economy.

"The completion of this latest phase of the West Port development, on such a prominent city centre site, will add yet more options to a part of the city that is increasingly attracting successful businesses of all types."

West Port is a mix of leisure, commercial and residential accommodation, with two previous phases already complete. Travelodge is operating a 48-bed hotel and a further 30,000 sq ft has been let to games software developer, Realtime Worlds. Within this current phase three, Grosvenor Casinos Ltd has committed to 30,000 sq ft unit for its second G Casino in Scotland. The remainder of the phase has consent for a bar/restaurant operation, 22,000 sq ft office space, a 9,485 sq ft retail unit and 23 serviced residential apartments on the upper floors – a first for Dundee.

Bill Imlach, managing director of Stewart Milne Construction said: “We are committed to involvement in Dundee projects, having completed several in the city centre. The West Port scheme is an interesting and challenging one and all credit goes to the Stewart Milne team who have worked hard to meet those challenges and deliver the project in line with the client’s timetable.”

At the topping out event Lord Provost Letford, honed his construction skills by completing the rooftop blockwork under the watchful eye of Bill Imlach of Stewart Milne Construction.

Commenting on the development, Bruce Linton of Marketgait Developments said: “This is a landmark development for one of Scotland’s most dynamic cities which will provide a second Scottish venue for Grosvenor Casinos and bring a range of high quality commercial and residential accommodation to the city centre. West Port is a key part of the city’s continuing regeneration and one which we are pleased to be delivering.”

West Port is due for completion this September. Letting agents for the scheme are Graham + Sibbald.

jeff_h

June 24th, 2009, 09:13 PM

From Waterfront Board

A recent event at Dundee University had been very successful and had attracted considerable media coverage. The project was likely to be developed as a joint venture involving the V & A, the University of Dundee, Dundee City Council, and the private sector.

Discussions were ongoing regarding the governance of the project, thereafter funding proposals/design work could be progressed. There were also submitted details of possible sites including proposals to build out over the river, but more detailed work would be required before a decision was made.

Considerable interest had been expressed by a number of architects but the project was at present at an early stage.

Townie Tam

June 25th, 2009, 08:45 PM

Hi jeff_h.

From the Waterfront Board? I can't find any reference to it on their web site at:-

http://www.dundeewaterfront.com

?

jeff_h

June 25th, 2009, 11:50 PM

Hi Tam see here : http://www.dundeewaterfront.com/documents/230309.pdf

Townie Tam

June 26th, 2009, 01:33 AM

Hi Jeff.

Thanks for that.

Can you, with your divine insight, explain what this piece of jargonese actually means?

The Director of Planning and Transportation advised that he was attempting to make the Waterfront Development as sustainable as possible, whilst not compromising its economic viability. There were possibly business/marketing advantages in this, as well as adding to the positive image of the City.

Is that MG polishing up his green credentials?

;-)

adammccall

June 26th, 2009, 02:51 AM

Doghouse’s days may be over

THE FUTURE of The Doghouse in Dundee is once more in doubt after it emerged its owners, Punch Taverns, look to be on the verge of selling the building, writes Alan Wilson, Rocktalk writer.

The embattled pub group confirmed they are considering offers for the venue.

It is feared the popular venue could be permanently lost to the Dundee music scene as there is no guarantee any new owners would want to continue its music policy.

The news will come as a huge blow to the local music scene, after it looked to have been saved by The View and around a dozen local bands who played two fund- raising concerts to allow it to reopen.

The announcement follows speculation that The Doghouse was on the point of being bulldozed to make way for a car park for the new casino—however, the owner of the casino building denied any intention to buy the pub.

Doghouse proprietor Sarah Hill conceded her long fight to keep the pub open as a venue for bands looked to be over.

“It has been intimated to me by Punch Taverns that the pub will be, or has already been sold, but other than that I don’t have any more information,” she said.

It has been suggested that two Edinburgh-based businessmen were behind an approach to buy The Doghouse.

PS. RIP MJ

tongue_tied_danny

June 28th, 2009, 12:06 PM

PS. RIP MJ

I woulda thought the doghouse was a listed building. It would be a crime to bulldoze the place.

I was walking down that way yesterday. The casino building doesn't look too bad but I hope they resurface the pavement in front of it. A cracked and uneven pavement in front of a multi-million pound development would really create the wrong impression.

Townie Tam

June 28th, 2009, 01:54 PM

Hi tongue_tied_danny.

I woulda thought the doghouse was a listed building. It would be a crime to bulldoze the place.

Although many schools and former schools in Dundee are listed, the former Brown Street Primary School seems to have escaped the net.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings/listedbuildingsresults.htm?p_out=xml&p_all=school&p_couname=Dundee%2C+City+Of&p_parbur=0

BTW, Doghouse didn't show up when searched for.

I agree about bulldozing. Too often, particularly in the 50s and 60s in Dundee, "old" was seen as something to be got rid of and "new" was good. If selected buildings and frontages of the old Overgate had been reused in the manner of Boot's corner, who's to say how popular the Overgate would have been as an example of living medieval townscape?

adammccall

June 28th, 2009, 08:01 PM

even though the Doghouse isn't registered as a listed building, I think that if an application for demolition was to be submitted the committee should really consider it's cultural prominence in the city and thus turn down any applications of that ilk.

Regarding the "two edinburgh based businessmen" wanting to buy it; I have a funny feeling that it is Fuller Thomson (the owners of Drouthy's and The Jute bar in the DCA)

Partner-owners Gordon Fuller and Gary Thomson have both spend their careers in Scotland's bar and restaurant industry, having previously conceived some of Scotland's ground breaking concept bars of their time including Indigo Yard, Favorit, Opal Lounge, Tolbooth, Iguana, Rick's, Conran's Zinc among others.

The ambition at fullerthomson is to gain from their team's collective experiences; to provide better than the expected by delivering quality without pretension. Taking great, often multi-purpose spaces and venues, apply thoughtful, exciting design, flexible dining/drinking concepts and the finest trained staff team.

Stay tuned, there will be more fullerthomson places coming soon.

I think that the doghouse, with a bit of work from a proper pub/entertainments company could really thrive. They just need to treat it like a music venue and bar for everyone, instead of a cliquey hangout and local musicians orphanage. Just a thought though.

PS. I think that FT have done a great job with Drouthys in every way (atmosphere, food, décor, and it is a great wee gig venue too).

SeoulDee

June 29th, 2009, 06:14 AM

alonzo-ny

June 29th, 2009, 10:53 AM

I cant imagine alot of those going forward. Properties prices fell the most in Dundee out of Scotland. If I remember correctly it was around 20%. I do think the overgate expansion will happen regardless. Also the new council offices should also go ahead I would imagine.

SeoulDee

June 29th, 2009, 11:11 AM

The average property prices in Dundee have been artificially incresed in recent years due to the sheer number of expensive new houses being built and put on the market. Now that construction has effectively stopped, new houses are not coming onto the market to inflate the prices. So rather than the average price falling 20%, it's more a case that there are no new developments, so all the houses being sold are at the lower ends of the market.

The last time i was in Dundee, about 2 months ago, construction seemed to be happening on the new DCC site and also on the Abertay Uni apartments site. No sign of anything at Overgate though.

alonzo-ny

June 29th, 2009, 11:45 AM

I wonder what the vacancy rates are in Dundee particularly for office/hotels. I cant image much demand here considering what has been built. Particulary hotels.

SeoulDee

June 29th, 2009, 12:24 PM

I wonder what the vacancy rates are in Dundee particularly for office/hotels. I cant image much demand here considering what has been built. Particulary hotels.

I read an article somewhere, i can't find it now, where Bruce Linton was talking about hotel demand in Dundee. He said the Hilton has run at 80% occupancy since it was built and saw no difference in occupancy rates when the Apex opened. The Apex itself is very busy, and it's often difficult to get a room there. They reported it as being their most profitable hotel, more profitable than their hotels in Edinburgh and London. Linton also said the Holiday Inn has not caused any decrease in occupancy at either hotel. That's quite remarkable when you consider all the fairly new budget hotels that have sprung up around Dundee in the past 10 years or so.

I'm not so sure about office demand, but we kept hearing that the reason public sector organisations were not coming to Dundee was because of a lack of suitable Grade A office space. As soon as they started work on the Dundee One development, a government organisation signed up for half of it. Also, the smaller office units at City Quay seem to be doing very well. Most of them were either full, or being renovated the last time i was there. Also there is the new Dunsinane office development on the Kingsway that is underway. They must be confident of filling them.

alonzo-ny

June 29th, 2009, 01:23 PM

Why did Vision fail?

Thats surprising about the Hotel sector. There is no tourist reason to come to Dundee really so that leads me to believe its mostly business.

GlasgowMan

June 29th, 2009, 02:08 PM

I was in the Queens Hotel in Dundee yesterday and as I arrived there was a bus load of German tourists checking out. Well at least they sounded German.

adammccall

June 29th, 2009, 03:36 PM

Looking back through this thread, there are dozens of developments listed in and around the city centre that are not yet underway. Does anyone know what the status is with all these developments, or how many have been cancelled or delayed by the economy?

The Overgate extension: I think this has already been discussed in this thread. there was problems regarding occupied premises "in the footprint" of the overgate extention, but only in October this was resolved when the Council agreed compulsory purchase:
Land deal could see Overgate extension

OVERGATE OWNERS Lend Lease and Dundee City Council have reached agreement for a land deal that could pave the way for a massive £50 million extension to the successful city centre retail complex.

It is understood that the sole remaining obstacle to further development— believed to centre on access to the land earmarked for the extension—has been resolved through a partnership agreement involving Lend Lease and the council.

Under the deal, the council will acquire various ‘land interests’ which will be leased to Lend Lease.

This will allow for the development of an extra 215,000 sq. ft of retail space.

Lend Lease have already received the go-ahead from the Scottish Government for an extension that would increase the size of the centre by just over 50%—or the equivalent of another two Debenhams stores.

The city council had previously agreed planning permission for the next stage of the development.

Overgate’s general manager Karen Stewart said, “Lend Lease has been working closely with Dundee City Council to progress the proposed extension and we are delighted to have reached this milestone.

“In this challenging market we will continue to work with our investors, retailers and other partners to enhance Overgate and realise the potential that Dundee has to offer as a premier retail destination in Scotland in years to come.”

If it goes ahead in the form originally proposed by Lend Lease, the extension would see an extra 40 new shops, a food hall, an extension to two existing retail units and an extra 330 parking spaces.

The project would see the creation of 400 construction jobs during a two-year building period and an extra 500-600 long-term jobs.

Lend Lease are known to have been talking to potential new tenants of the extended centre for several years.
There was also an article shortly after regarding its feesability during the credit crunch, but the overgate management said it WILL go ahead when the climate is right.

Developer wants a major retail player to take a stake in project before construction work starts. By Steven Vass, Deputy Business Editor.

THE £50 million extension to Dundee's premier shopping centre faces delays of up to three years as the economic crisis takes its toll on retailers.

Council bosses have conceded for the first time that development work on the Overgate, which was originally due to have started last year, may now be delayed until 2011.

Mike Galloway, head of planning at Dundee City Council, told the Sunday Herald that the extension faced delays because the developer, Lend Lease, would not start work until it had found an "anchor" store to justify the whole project.
advertisement

"It's only realistic to expect a delay given the current situation. It could be delayed until next year, it could be the year after," he said.

Scotland's commercial retail developers face a tough year for raising funds for their projects, exacerbated by a dismal Christmas that saw the likes of Zavvi, Adams, Woolworths and USC fold.

Those required to raise funds in the coming months include the £300m Caltongate hotel/office/residential/retail development in Edinburgh between Waverley station and Holyrood.

Those relieved to be at later or earlier stages of their projects include the £850m St James Quarter development in Edinburgh, which will this week hear whether it has council approval to cover the existing St James Centre at the west end of Princes Street in a giant advertising banner showing how the site will look when completed.

Developer Henderson Global Investors is proposing to double the retail space by adding 30 new shops together with hotels, restaurants, homes and leisure facilities.
It’s not if but when. We are sufficiently confident that the project will go ahead that we are acquiring the land.
Mike Galloway

Galloway said that before the Overgate extension project could start, the council had to buy the land to the north of the current centre.

This will then be leased to the developer, although the council will keep a portion for its new headquarters, which will take two years to build once construction starts later this year. This will replace the existing Tayside House, which is being demolished as part of the city's £270m 30-year waterfront regeneration project.

He said: "We are currently trying to acquire the Overgate land through negotiation with current owners including the Salvation Army, the Lidl supermarket chain and a windscreen replacement outlet. We are hoping to avoid a compulsory purchase".

He said that these negotiations should have taken place last year, but this was impossible until Lend Lease signed the contract, which did not take place until the autumn and appears to have been delayed.

He added: "In some ways the Overgate delay suits us, at least in terms of construction management. Having two projects on site at the same time is not impossible, but it would raise issues."

Galloway added that there was no question of the Overgate extension not taking place.

He said: "It's not a case of if but when. We are sufficiently confident that the project will go ahead that we are moving ahead and acquiring the land."

Karen Stewart, general manager of the Overgate said: "Lend Lease is working closely with Dundee City Council. In this challenging market we will continue to work with our investors, retailers and other partners to enhance Overgate and realise the potential that Dundee has to offer as a premier retail destination in Scotland in years to come."

Despite the turbulence in the financial markets, most major Scottish retail developments are fortunate to either have their funding in place, or they are still awaiting planning permission, and can raise funds some time later in the economic cycle.

Aberdeen's £250m Union Square development and Glasgow's £100m St Enoch Square extension are both well under way and due to open later this year.

A spokeswoman for the £400m extension to the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow, being developed by Henderson Global Investors and Land Securities, said that the project awaited full planning approval but that funding was already in place. The project is due to get under way next summer.

The vast waterfront redevelopment in Edinburgh, which is heavily tilted towards housing but also has a retail element, has been the subject of concern.

But a spokesman said that because the planning application was only submitted last month, it is likely to take several years before it receives permission.

A spokesman for the Caltongate development said that it might be harder to raise funding for the residential element of the project in the current climate. But he said that the developer, Mountgrange Capital, was as confident as ever about the hotel and office elements.

He said: "The project, which will take five years to complete, is not in any way in danger from the credit crunch."

the proposed retail/offices opposite Fat Sams:
G+S, the developers of the project have recently got some marketing guff for it. I can't find the PDF online, so maybe it has gone down the drain, but it was only a few months ago when I came across it. they are calling it "the Golden Triangle". It looks/looked really cool.

the West Marketgait petrol station:
What's this?

hotel/offices behind Grouchos etc: The bruce linton interview regarding the hotels that SeoulDee was writing about above was the same interview that he confirmed that this development was going to get underway soon. I believe that this is why he was quoting said figures. I don't think that the courier published the article online though, or it would have been on here already.

adammccall

June 29th, 2009, 04:00 PM

Why did Vision fail?

Thats surprising about the Hotel sector. There is no tourist reason to come to Dundee really so that leads me to believe its mostly business.

back in 2006, the developer then, P4 Property Holdings went into receivership and their only tenant, Visual Science vacated the premises when they went into liquidation a year previous.

I would think that it would have been let to someone by now if it hadn't been so huge. It isn't really designed like conventional office space, as becomes clear when you think that the Degree show was freely able to move in there, even with the Society of Scottish Artists' annual exhibition alongside.
I just think it's too big.

Regarding the hotel occupancy comment; I would struggle to believe that Dundee has 10+ hotels (and dozens of B+B's) full of business people all year round, but if so I would think that would be testament to the city's buisness economy.

I'd hazard a guess that with things like the blues festival dotted about the year, there is a fair amount of tourists/city break people occupying the hotels.

SeoulDee

June 29th, 2009, 04:30 PM

Golf tourists are using Dundee as a base. I've seen golf buses leaving the Queens hotel. I think the Universities and Ninewells play a huge part in the hotel trade though. Visiting staff and visiting parents of students. I know people have a nightmare getting accomodation at graduation time for friends and family coming to watch. Hotels in most cities will be mainly business based, rather than tourists.

jeff_h

June 29th, 2009, 07:43 PM

Central Waterfront Developments
1. Holiday Inn Express 103 bedrooms, Dock Street - BUILT
2. Tay Hotel re-development mixed use, Dock Street - WAITING ON HISTORIC SCOTLAND
3. Dundee One 100,000 square feet of Offices West Victoria Dock Road - IN PROGRESS
4. Greenmarket Offices/Hotel, Greenmarket 40,000 square feet of offices - ON HOLD POSSIBLY 2010
5. V&A Museum - 2011?

East Waterfront Developments
1. Panmure City Quay, 27 townhouses, 46 flats - BUILT
2. Merchants City Quay, 160 apartments, - BUILT
3. Southern Wharf City Quay - BUILT BUT INCOMPLETE
4. The Wave 15 storey eliptical tower City Quay, 25 flats - UNLIKELY
5. The Clock tower City Quay, 12 flats - COMPLETE
6. Offices 27-35 City Quay - COMPLETE

West Waterfront Developments
1. Compass and Quadrant House 60,000ft offices, Riverside Drive - BUILT
2. Riverside 202 Apartments (former Homebase site), Riverside Drive - FOR SALE
3. De Havilland 60 bedroom Hotel, Riverside Drive - UNLIKELY

City Centre
1. Queen Mother building Balfour Street - BUILT
2. Borders Bookstore Gallagher retail park - BUILT
3. Abertay University Student Union Bell Street - BUILT
4. Childrens Panel Offices Commercial Street - BUILT
5. Whitehall House Yeaman Shore - BUILT
6. Dundee House Offices North Lindsay Street - IN PROGRESS
7. Courthouse Apartments Student Accomodation Ward Road - BUILT
8. Discovery Wharf flats Trades Lane - BUILT
9. Greenmarket Multi storey car park Greenmarket - BUILT
10. Mcmanus Galleries re-development Albert Square - IN PROGRESS
11. Overgate extension Overgate - ON HOLD POSSIBLY 2010
12. Abertay Student Accomodation Parker Street - IN PROGRESS
13. Wallace Craigie Works flats Broughty Ferry Road - ON HOLD POSSIBLY 2010
14. Replacement Swimming Pooll Allan Street - START DUE LATE 09
15. Student Accomodation Brown Street - UNLIKELY

Seabraes - Digital Media Park
1. Vision building Offices Greenmarket - BUILT
2. Seabraes Offices Greenmarket - BUILT

Cultural Quarter
1. Alliace Trust HQ Offices West Marketgait - BUILT

West Port
1. The Hub Student Accomodation Hawkhill - BUILT
2. Byzantium Corner flats and restaurant Session Street - BUILT
3. Student Accomodation Horsewater Wynd - BUILT
4. Marketgait Developments Casino, Offices, Retail West Marketgait - IN PROGRESS
5. Argyll House Office and Retail South Ward Road - UNKNOWN
6. Argyll House (Jet Garage) mixed use development West Marketgait - UNKNOWN

jeff_h

June 29th, 2009, 07:55 PM

Post 380 for Bruce Linton article guys don't know how to link to it

adammccall

June 29th, 2009, 08:39 PM

post 380 Found this great article from Sunday Herald (Please note Scottish Enterprise have confirmed the £33 million of funding to carry the project forward):)

A soon-to-be-announced plan promises to give Dundee a new look to match its transformed status
By Steven Vass, Deputy Business Editor

THESE ARE tense times at Tayside House, the unloved concrete tower block that is headquarters to Dundee City Council. Council leaders are waiting to hear whether Scottish Enterprise will commit the £30 million-plus to the city's waterfront regeneration project that will allow the vital next phase of work to go ahead.

Confirmation is taking longer than expected, and although nothing suggests funding is in doubt, Dundee is a place where recessions conjure particularly nasty memories. From jute mills to manufacturers such as Timex to NCR, the locals know that bad things happen when economies turn down. With the project at the centre of the city's plans for its future and Scottish Enterprise's salary freezes well known, no-one is likely to feel comfortable until they see signatures on cheques.

There might be many cities redeveloping their waterfronts around the UK, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, but few aim to transform their city centres as dramatically as Dundee. The city has made economic strides forward in recent years in areas such as bioscience and computer gaming, but there is nothing in the urban landscape immediately outside the railway station that expresses to the visitor - or to Dundonians - how dramatically the city has escaped its grim modern history.

In the shadow of the Tay Road Bridge there is an ugly gap of more than 100 metres between the waterfront and the city centre proper, filled only with 1970s monoliths like Tayside House and the Hilton hotel, plus wasteland and a tangle of busy roads. HMS Discovery and its popular tourist centre, the only visible attraction, stand several intimidating traffic lanes away. Those with better things to do would be forgiven for catching the next train south and never seeing the beautiful old streets and Victorian relics of the city's past commercial greatness only a 10-minute walk away.

Councillor Jim Barrie, a member of the SNP opposition, says: "Things started to go down from the 1960s, when they knocked down a lot of the old buildings. In the dock area, we had the Royal Arch, which was the gateway into the area, and removing it in 1964 took away the focal point. When they built the road bridge in 1966, they filled in a lot of the docks and people stopped coming down."

The council has been plotting a radical redesign for the past 10 years that will see almost the entire area bulldozed to allow the city centre to be stretched into the gap. When the project fully completes in about 30 years, or possibly much sooner, the council wants shining new buildings, hopefully including a Victoria & Albert museum, pedestrian-friendly boulevards and a properly integrated central square, all inspired by the transformations of the likes of Barcelona and Lisbon.

"Scottish Enterprise permitting, the project will attract a total of £70m in public money and considerably more once private developers have paid for the buildings. As Mike Galloway, head of planning at the council and overseer of the masterplan, makes clear, it is about far more than just aesthetics.

"We are not doing it just to make an area pretty. This is at the very core of our economic strategy for continuing the process of restructuring our local economy," he says.

The waterfront project, coupled with a boom in private development, has created a sense that the city has started reviving since the long stagnation following the end of the jute and jam days 50 years ago.

Dithering Labour councils in the 1970s, when George Galloway was a rising political star in the city, saw Dundee lose the chance to be the country's oil capital to Aberdeen. Successive manufacturers came and went and the city became a byword for post-industrial misery. Scarred by brutal post-war town planning, high unemployment and deprivation, there were times when Dundee United's golden era of the early 1980s must have seemed the only consolation.

By the end of that decade, council leaders decided that enough was enough. They accepted that the manufacturing heyday would never return and they stopped subsidising unproductive factories on the edges of the city. Instead they decided to develop a knowledge economy, using grants and subsidies to develop strengths in research and intellectual property, including heavy emphasis on spin-outs from Dundee and Abertay universities and partnerships with Ninewells hospital. Twenty years later, the results have been moderately impressive. According to a recent study by Experian, the city's annual economic growth rate since 1999 has been 2.1%, in line with the Scottish average.

Through the likes of medical testing specialist Axis-Shield, drug developer CXR Bioscience and the Wellcome Trust Biomedical Research Centre, the Dundee area now employs more than 4000 people in bioscience, amounting to around 2% of jobs and around 15% of those in the sector across Scotland. In digital media, where Grand Theft Auto creator Realtime Worlds leads a sector of around 350 local companies, the 3300 jobs represent 1% of the city total. These might still be relatively small employers, but they have helped create knock-on prosperity that has pushed the median gross weekly wage to £465.60, which is £5.50 higher than the Scottish average.

The downside has been that unemployment remains ahead of the country, running to 4.2% last November compared to Scotland's 2.8%. The Dundee figure rose 0.7 points year on year. This will have been aggravated by the ongoing decline of manufacturing, which has seen ATM machine maker NCR continually announcing fresh redundancies in the past decade along with big closures such as Wood Group's Baldovie aeronautics plant, the Levi Strauss factory, Simclar sheet metal fabrication and Yorkshire Fittings. With NCR and tyre maker Michelin now the two largest manufacturers in the area, employing just hundreds when once the jute mills alone employed over 60,000, manufacturing's residual 9.5% of local city jobs is down 1.5 points from only three years ago. The big replacement has been call centres, with Tesco, BT, the Scottish government, the Inland Revenue and outsourcer Client Logic UK leading the pack. Norwich Union's announcement last autumn that it was withdrawing 350 jobs from the city indicated that these centres can be little more stable than manufacturing, but for now the momentum is mostly upward: in the seven years from 1999 to 2006, financial and business services grew by a third to 24,600 jobs or 13% of those in the city region.

Elsewhere the biggest employers remain the council, the NHS and Dundee University, while other big private employers include Sunday Post publisher DC Thomson, investment manager Alliance Trust and contract services provider Tayside Contracts. Still more people are employed by small businesses, and there is a belief that Dundee will escape the worst of the recession as its economy is more diversified. This could be important news amid all the banking and property carnage in the central belt.

Alan Mitchell, chief executive of the Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, says there has been progress but wants the Scottish government to help improve transport infrastructure. The main bugbears are that there are too few trains from the central belt and too few flight destinations from the city's airport.

Yet if the overall picture looks encouraging rather than astonishing, the council and private developers are convinced that they can attract much more business to the city if they build things. Mike Galloway of the council, who has previously overseen major city projects in Glasgow, Manchester and London, says the waterfront project has already been in construction for three years. The ring-road around the railway station has been realigned, the enclosed pedestrian bridge towards the centre demolished and the tunnel that takes the railway beneath Dock Street strengthened. This made it possible for the private construction of the new Holiday Inn Express on adjacent Gellatly Street, which opened last year.

While this was happening, developers have been putting up offices, luxury flats and hotels.

Bruce Linton, a local entrepreneur who is building a major mixed-use complex fronted by a casino at Marketgait and will soon start a 140-bedroom hotel at Greenmarket, says that office demand is being driven by the fact that a lot of the old lettable spaces around the edge of the city have been pulled down.

On hotels, he says: "The occupancy rates of the Hilton have never dropped below 82%. The Apex when it opened didn't make a dent, though its occupancy is 80% to 85%. The Holiday Inn hasn't made any difference to them either."

He says that life sciences among others ensures a stream of business conferences, while golfing tourists use Dundee as a cheap base so that they can save their money for the courses at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Gleneagles.

Less encouragingly, the council admitted that the £50m extension to the Overgate shopping centre will likely be slowed by the downturn, while residential progress took a knock from developer Duncarse going into administration, freezing its planned £30m complex for 200 luxury flats. Yet everyone is stressing that Overgate will still happen and work continues on other residential developments such as The Clock Tower and the 12-storey Wave.

The council hopes that it can pick up any slack with the next phase of the waterfront, which concerns the road bridge. Its web of ramps will be redrawn to make way for the main new development. This big job will take three years, at the end of which Tayside House, the equally ugly Olympia Leisure Centre and probably also the Hilton will be demolished. There will be feasibility studies for the Victoria & Albert, redeveloping the railway station and moving the planned marina several hundred metres to the east, since there are water depth problems with the location.

Says Galloway: "Once the phase three infrastructure works are complete, we will start to see the new development sites in the centre of the waterfront becoming available for the private sector. The idea is to time the release of these opportunities with us emerging from the current credit situation."

The hope is that as the private developers put up the buildings, the council will get on with constructing the boulevards and central square. The deadline for public works is 2021, although Galloway is allowing 30 years to get the private buildings all completed.

For now, he can do little but wait until Scottish Enterprise gives the final word on the budget, consoled by the fact that everyone of influence seems to think that his vision is the right one for the city.

Bruce Linton is one of many who has nothing but praise. He says: "The bottom was 10 years ago and we have slowly and surely been climbing out of it.

"Dundonians are very resilient, but it was Mike Galloway that brought the vision. He has taken the council along with him. For developers, the council has been leading the way."

If this keeps happening, even in defiance of these dark times, Dundee's worst years will have passed.

Looks like good times ahead :cheers:

adammccall

June 29th, 2009, 08:58 PM

thanks for the update jeff.

Regarding 3. De Havilland 60 bedroom Hotel, Riverside Drive - UNLIKELY

the proposal is still in the lomand group's current projects page which was updated in January this year. I'm sure I looked at revised plans of it on the planning website not so long ago. I will have a look and update ths ASAP.

jeff_h

June 29th, 2009, 09:43 PM

Did notice on Saturday, albeit after a few beverages, at a do in the Apex (the wood still looks awful by the way)that Bovis Lend Lease has their logos up in the tenement which is to be used as an entrance to the Overgate extension in North Lindsay Street. They did the revamped first phase in 2000 so unless they are building the Council HQ maybe this is preparatory work?

adammccall

June 29th, 2009, 10:14 PM

yeah Bovis Lend lease are managing the construction of the Council HQ. There was something in the Tele about it today.

There muscling in on the Dundee College's Gardyne campus refurbishment too.

dufc1909

June 30th, 2009, 11:28 AM

SeoulDee

June 30th, 2009, 11:35 AM

I`m enjoying the read guys . . thanks . .

I dont always get a chance to look at the online courier or tele so sometimes I miss out on developments.
I was back in Dundee last month and have a couple of questions if you dont mind.

Are there any plans to re-open the tasting rooms which burnt down. That was great for coffee or purchase at the deli.

I was also in DCA and was pretty taken aback by the building blocking the view to the river. I believe its a car park . . what happened there ? Why was planning permission granted ?

That'll be the Greenmarket car park. There was a kick-up about it at the time. DCA were complaining about it if i remember rightly. The way I see it is that there is a hell of a lot of land between the DCA and the river, they cannot be expected to leave all of this a derelict wasteland so that DCA can maintain a view from it's restaurant. If you want a view of the river, set up your gallery right at the river, not a few hundred metres inland.

dufc1909

June 30th, 2009, 01:37 PM

SeoulDee

June 30th, 2009, 03:47 PM

Yes . . thats the one . . thanks

You are right about the space but why an ugly carpark, but I suppose it`ll be ready to come down in 20 years time and if i wanted a view with my coffee I would go to the Dundee university restaurant . . . 7th floor I think . . .

I dont even know if its still open to the public . . .

I found this interesting website with the new Dundee logo . . .

http://www.cityofdiscovery.com/

The real problem is not the car park, but the hideous Tesco behind it. If they could move Tesco somewhere else, it would free up a huge swathe of land, right at the river that could be developed with a permanent view of the river. It wouldn't surprise me if the council persuade Tesco to move that store to the Eastern edge of the Gallagher retail park. There were plans to extend that onto the National Express bus depot and the old gas tank site. That would get Tesco a new store close to their existing store, and create a fabulous site connecting the central waterfront development to Riverside.

jeff_h

July 1st, 2009, 06:24 PM

From the Courier

SCOTLAND’S CULTURE minister yesterday said he would not rule out the possibility of further government funding for the renovated McManus Galleries in Dundee.

Mike Russell, who was in the city with members of the Scottish cabinet for the National Conversation event, was given a behind the scenes tour of the £11.8 million landmark.

The museum, which has been formally renamed The McManus—Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, is due to open next February.

Dundee City Council had initially estimated the cost for redevelopment would be around £8.5 million but last year the cost of under- pinning the building added an additional £1.5 million.

Among the exhibits that are to reappear will be the skeleton of the Tay whale and a 1500-year-old canoe, so large it had to be taken out of a window when it was originally removed from the building.

The minister said that, through Historic Scotland, the Scottish Government had given almost £600,000 to the McManus project.

He acknowledged that both Dundee City Council and private investors had enabled the restoration to go ahead but said the issue of further funding at a later date was open for discussion.

“We have already given a substantial amount of money to the project and at this minute there are no plans to continue funding,” he said.

“However, the Scottish Government are always open to discussion and will keep in contact with Dundee City Council regarding future issues.”

He added, “The city of Dundee should be proud of its investment, the building should now stand for hundreds more years.

“The museum is pretty impressive inside and out, the work that has been done is both remarkable and imaginative

jeff_h

July 1st, 2009, 06:26 PM

Scotland’s drinking dens are being celebrated in a new book charting the different styles and types of traditional pubs.

Historic Scotland, working alongside the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), has looked at how some of the most historic public houses in Scotland have survived and developed over the years, the quality of the interior often outshining an anonymous exterior, to create Raising the Bar, An Introduction to Scotland’s Historic Pubs.

Visiting Frews in Dundee Michael Russell, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, said: “What is revealing about the survey that lead to this book is the sheer variety of historic pubs across the country, reflecting their place at the heart of their communities and the rich colour they provide. Their contribution to the Scottish streetscape and the character of towns is immense.

“The way they have remained the same or have adapted speaks volumes about how we continue to use them as meeting places, to socialise and regard them as a community resource. The amount of support that owners, landlords and regulars have given has been incredible and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to Raising the Bar.”

The Minister was joined by Frew’s landlords James and Jeanette Kid and Michael Slaughter of the CAMRA to launch the booklet.

Mr Slaughter said: “CAMRA is delighted that Historic Scotland reacted so promptly after being presented with our research on the quality of Scotland’s historic pub interiors and they agreed with us that steps needed to be taken to preserve the small number that remain.

“The Thematic Review of Heritage Public Houses so enthusiastically carried out by Historic Scotland officials, resulting in additional listings, upgradings and inclusion of a full description on the listing records - items that are at the very top end of CAMRA’s expectations in helping to save historic pub interiors.

“We feel this booklet will greatly help to highlight the importance of these pub interiors and encourage those responsible for preserving Scottish Heritage to ensure they remain intact and can be enjoyed by future generations.”

Frews is a typical Dundee tenement bar, designed by the Dundee architects Henry & Frank Thomson who contributed many important buildings to the City and an unusual example dating from their short-lived partnership.

A fine Art Deco bar was created in 1934. Overlooking a busy junction it is just a short walk from both of Dundee's football grounds.

The survey of historic pubs was carried out between 2007 and 2008 by the Listing Team. They visited 91 public houses as identified by CAMRA, and from these found 11 new properties worthy of listing, added new information to 33 existing listings and changed 5 existing categories.

“Raising the Bar” is available to download for free at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/historicandlistedbuildings-publications

jeff_h

July 2nd, 2009, 08:59 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3682471628_5b0c668d6a_b.jpg
View North from Marketgait Travelodge and Realtime Worlds in next door Mill, cranes in distance for Abertay student accomodation
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Changed view up South Tay Street - no view of the Law now!

djmacdonald73

July 2nd, 2009, 09:06 PM

alonzo-ny

July 2nd, 2009, 09:54 PM

A casino, no thanks. It isnt good enough to get rid of the view down S. Tay street.

adammccall

July 2nd, 2009, 09:57 PM

that's so weird.. I was just browsing through Flickr's recent photos of Dundee and thought to myself "I wonder if anyone will post any pics of the new westport development.. hmm I'll go and check SkyscraperCity." and look what should appear.

mad. Thanks Jeff.

PS. I actually really like the brickwork against the Traveloge building, works well. I also like the green colour of the cladding on the front, I'm just not so sure about the building itself.. It looks really mish-mashed.

adammccall

July 2nd, 2009, 10:19 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2971622616_8cce255d15.jpg
..I think that we got the better design in comparison to Aberdeen's G casino.

SeoulDee

July 3rd, 2009, 05:46 AM

Some stylish lighting, similar to the Alliance Trust building, would look good on that Westport building. Considering one of the tenants will be a casino, maybe they will do some stylish lighting?

SeoulDee

July 3rd, 2009, 08:50 AM

It looks good though, much better than it did when they 1st started taking the scaffolding down.

Does anyone know what the setup inside is going to be, ie how much of it will be devoted to the casino, what else is going in the building etc?

I think the top two floors are going to be serviced apartments, the ground floor restaurant/retail with the casino and offices the floors in between. I'm sure the casino has a mezzanine as well.

jeff_h

July 4th, 2009, 04:35 PM

From the Courier
By David Clegg

DUNDEE CITY Council has refused to release further details of a publicly-funded “vision” for a radical redesign of the city’s dilapidated railway station.

The future of the rundown facility has been mired in controversy in recent months after it was passed over for an upgrade while Edinburgh’s Waverley station was awarded £130 million to improve access.

The issue has raised the hackles of local campaigners and politicians—including Dundee West MP Jim McGovern—and led to allegations the city’s needs are being overlooked.

Following public pressure in April, a number of council drawings were released giving a taste of what could replace the current rundown facility in the event of funding being obtained.

The Courier subsequently requested further details of the wish list plans using freedom of information legislation to give readers a better insight into the site’s potential. However, we were informed yesterday this information would not be released, as it would “substantially prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.”

The council’s legal manager Roger Mennie said, “The director of city development advises me that the documents which you have requested are currently the subject of consideration by officers and will in due course be reported to the Dundee Central Waterfront Partnership Board and the council’s policy and resources committee.

“I take the view that disclosing documents which have yet to be fully considered by officers and before they have been reported to elected members would substantially prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.”

The council drawings, featuring sweeping curves, a cafe and retail units, were drawn up by architectural consultants on behalf of the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat administration as a basis for any future development by Network Rail.

Last night the transport convener during that period, Fraser Macpherson, said he would have intended for the plans to be released if he was still power.

“I personally don’t see what the problem is. The information has been available for some time. In fact, some of it was put before the waterfront board when I was still on it prior to the administration change on March 30,” he said.

“The question is why there seems to be stalling of bringing this forwards. There is an ongoing delay when this information has been available for some time.”

Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild has warned the much-discussed vision has no official status and is rather what the council would like to see in the event of Network Rail funding being approved.

Campaigners argue that there is currently limited provision for disabled commuters at the station, and changes will need to be made if the facility is to cope with visitors flocking to the proposed Victoria and Albert Museum.

jeff_h

July 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3681653817_7c50ed54b8_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3682468784_19a60dac64_b.jpg
THE REDEVELOPMENT of one of Dundee’s most significant historic buildings was celebrated with a launch party at Victoria Dock last night.
The £4 million redevelopment of the Clocktower, which was originally built with stone and cast iron in 1877, has taken two years to complete.

The project, undertaken by Unicorn Property Group, saw the Category A-listed six-storey building converted into 12 luxury flats, with under-floor heating, solid wood finishing and integrated home entertainment systems.

Around 150 people, including senior academics from the city’s universities, local sports stars and politicians, attended last night’s event.

Tim Allan, director of Unicorn Property Group, said

“This is a once-in-a=lifetime opportunity. It is said that Dundee's is the last waterfront in Europe to be modernised and any development programme should make outstanding uses of its architectural jewels. We hope people will see the Clocktower as the embodiment of all that is exciting about a modern aspirational Dundee.”

Thorntons Property Services have been appointed as sales agents with properties available from £295,00 to £535,000.

George Solely, director of property sale at Thorntons, said, “This is a one-off. I am stunned by the specifications that Unicorn has built in as standard and I am convinced that the Clocktower will be highly sought after.

“It is the type of accommodation that Dundee has never had in the city centre before.”

The Clocktower has six floors, an internal car park, three floors of two to three bedroom apartments with a further two floors comprising three penthouse apartments with terraced roofs.

jeff_h

July 4th, 2009, 06:43 PM

From the Courier

DRIVERS HEADING into Dundee from Fife should expect chaos and misery later this year as roadworks begin on the Tay Bridge.

Dundee businesses have been contacted by Transport Scotland, warning about the extent of delays.

Work to improve the Trades Lane junction will start on September 18 and has been timed to coincide with Transport Scotland work on Dock Street.

It is hoped both will be completed in 12 weeks.

However, next April the westbound exit ramp is to be demolished as part of the Dundee Waterfront Project, meaning all traffic will use one ramp in a system to be in place for four and a half years.

Lawrence Davie, director of bus company Dundee National Express, said the forthcoming roadworks will cause severe disruption.

“The work will go on for more than 70 days and affect all of the main road going right along the front of Dundee,” he said. “It will cause severe disruption and they have a huge programme of roadworks for the next two and a half years. All of these things in a small city will snarl the traffic up.”

A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said, “Bear Scotland, acting on our behalf, is working closely with Dundee City Council to finalise the details of this roadworks programme for the A92 East Dock Street Gellatly Street to Greendykes Road and we expect to publicise more details on this in the coming weeks.

“These works, currently scheduled for September, have been carefully planned, designed and timed in consultation with Dundee City Council and Tayside Police to minimise the impact on the travelling public.

“As with all roadworks of this kind, particularly where some delays are expected, we aim to ensure drivers have as much information as possible well in advance of work starting

jeff_h

July 8th, 2009, 05:06 PM

Arguably Dundee's best building due to re-open start of next year after 5 years of renovation
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Townie Tam

July 9th, 2009, 12:56 AM

djmacdonald73

July 9th, 2009, 08:44 AM

It's a shame they didn't restore its name at the same time.

"Albert Institute & Victoria Galleries"... How many people under 40 have heard of Maurice?

Also a pity that a way couldn't be found to install or hang the Carbet Castle ceiling in some of that space.

Otherwise, looking forward to a visit once it's open. Any word on what's happening with the Barrack Street Museum? And where's the beehive gone?

Last I heard the Barrack Street museum was going to be used just as a storage/warehouse facility for the McManus, which is an absolute sin IMO as it really IS quite an impressive building. You`d think they`d find some other, better-fitting use for it.

I`d forgotten about the beehive though! I remember being taken there as a kid and being totally amazed that they had actual live bees!

adammccall

July 9th, 2009, 04:55 PM

Does anybody know anything about this:
http://www.aimdesign.co.uk/aim/images/finalslides/mixdev.jpg

Found on aimdesign's website http://www.aimdesign.co.uk/

Townie Tam

July 9th, 2009, 05:31 PM

The site looks like the corner of Nethergate and Marketgait, beside Groucho's...

dufc1909

July 9th, 2009, 05:50 PM

Could it be the hotel proposed by Bruce Linton ?

adammccall

July 9th, 2009, 06:55 PM

Hey, I just found it on the planning register, it's an approved hotel development by AWG developments ltd.

I'm guessing that it isn't going ahead anymore, as the approved decision was on 01/2003 and so it has expired jan of this year.

On the same site there is this application which is still valid: 05/00997/FUL. it's a joint venture between Lynton and Camlin investments.
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2006/01/27/story7971333t0.shtm
Pretty outdated article though...

http://i28.tinypic.com/accx9w.jpg

SeoulDee

July 9th, 2009, 07:30 PM

That's Bruce Linton's hotel and office development that we were just discussing on here last week. There's an article a page or so back about it, saying that it is expected to start soon. Looks fantastic on the corner opposite the Overgate. That area of the city will look great when all the developments are completed on the West Marketgait area.

alonzo-ny

July 10th, 2009, 12:16 AM

Standard, bad design. Hopefully what looks like stone on the render will be good quality and hopefully that horrible glass isnt so horrible.

adammccall

July 10th, 2009, 12:36 AM

Just to reiterate that the 3d cad drawing above is for the expired proposed development by AWG.

The one approved is this one:
http://i25.tinypic.com/210wrur.jpg

Unless that's what you were writing about in the first place. If so apologies!

SeoulDee

July 10th, 2009, 03:22 AM

Unless that's what you were writing about in the first place. If so apologies!

Ahhh... the new design doesn't look so good, but i'm sure it will change plenty by the time it actually goes up. Look how different the Alliance Trust building is compared to the renders tha were available. It's still better than the wasteland we have at present, and with plenty glass, i'm sure it will be a good environment to work in.

adammccall

July 10th, 2009, 04:17 PM

Just found this:

Costa calls into Dundee

22.05.09

Costa Coffee is taking the main cafe, totalling 2,676 sq ft, at Lend Lease’s Overgate shopping centre in Dundee at £80,000 a year

The overgate isn't doing too badly at filling it's units just now!

jeff_h

July 11th, 2009, 09:42 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3682496946_c0a41afe9a_b.jpg
Dundee One progressing from Gellatly Street Customs House and Apex in foreground
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/3681671169_a23b81fbd9_b.jpg
View from Infirmary Brae overlooking Dudhope Roundabout of Abertay Uni Student accomodation progress

djmacdonald73

July 12th, 2009, 09:13 AM

Are there any plans for Customs House? What is it used for at the moment, and who owns it?

SeoulDee

July 12th, 2009, 04:15 PM

Are there any plans for Customs House? What is it used for at the moment, and who owns it?

I believe Unicorn Property Group own it and they are planning to turn it into a hotel once the economy improves. It was in one of the papers only a few weeks ago, as it has been declared 'at risk' by the heritage people. Unicorn Property were saying that it was in good condition and checked weekly and mentioned their future plans for it.

adammccall

July 16th, 2009, 09:18 PM

hello everyone, long time no news!

I went to see the boss on tueday.. he was awesome! (off topic, but good)

http://www.probuilduk.com/Store.jpg
New Asda set to create 480 jobs in Dundee
ASDA and Macdonald Estates will today unveil plans for a supermarket on the former NCR manufacturing site in Dundee.

The £24 million store – which would become Asda's third in the city – will create 480 full and part-time jobs, according to the supermarket chain, with about 70 per cent of the posts being full-time. Up to 250 construction jobs could also be created on site during the building phase.

Plans will be put on show on 23 and 25 July at the city's Charleston community centre, before the companies submit a planning application to Dundee City Council later this month.

In March, NCR announced plans to stop making cash machines at the plant in Dundee, bringing to an end 62 years of production and making 252 posts redundant.

Asda's outline for the new store will include a petrol station, more than 600 parking spaces and a recycling facility.

The company said it would be writing to local residents to outline its plans for the site.

Joe FitzPatrick, SNP MSP for Dundee West, said: "It is now generally accepted that the introduction of mixed use developments on former industrial zoned land can help to promote regeneration. The large manufacturing industries like NCR, which employed thousands, are rare nowadays."

adammccall

July 16th, 2009, 11:44 PM

hello again,

here's a "copy" of the new creative strategy from the council's website. looks fairly rudimentary I would say.

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/dundeecity/uploaded_publications/publication_1354.pdf

One thing that gets my back is that one of their points is to "continue to promote the Caird Hall as the leading events venue"

See my first ever post for details of why, but the caird hall is no where near a good enough "events venue" to be promoting!

It would be nice to hear your thoughts on this publication!

PS. props to the council.. I sent them an email regarding about the state of the webcam page on Monday, saying that it looked like a 1990's amateur hobby webpage, and they have changed it already!

I didn't notice these pages though: check out the the dingy information and the liquidated businesses they are advertising! hardly the most cutting edge website we have, eh!
http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/eatdrink/shopping.htm

mon the littlewoods extra!

wolfie

July 18th, 2009, 12:36 AM

One thing that gets my back is that one of their points is to "continue to promote the Caird Hall as the leading events venue"

See my first ever post for details of why, but the caird hall is no where near a good enough "events venue" to be promoting!
The Caird Hall works fine for what it's intended to be: in fact, the "shoebox" format gives it ideal acoustics for a concert hall.

djmacdonald73

July 18th, 2009, 10:45 AM

It`s always seemed a bit daft to me that a city like Dundee DOESN`T have an exhibition/conference centre, when even our smaller neighbour Perth now has a purpose-built concert hall?

Townie Tam

July 18th, 2009, 11:18 AM

.
There appears to be a confusion here, between an "exhibition/conference centre" and a concert hall.
Although Dundee doesn't have the former, it certainly has the latter - it's called Caird Hall. It's a concert Hall. And there is is nothing wrong with the acoustics. Obviously, a hall designed for concerts involving live musicians playing without sound reinforcement, eg an orchestra, is going to require a sound engineer to show his worth when 'mixing' the performance of a 'pop' band. If the mix is wrong, the acoustics get the blame, although the failure is at the mixing desk, not with the acoustic design of the hall.

Here's what it says at:-

http://www.acoustics.net/ir/ir_samp.asp?ir_id=102

Dundee Caird Hall is a mid-sized concert hall with two levels. The ground floor is rectangular in shape, while the second level is a U-shaped balcony. The walls are made of brick and plaster. The granite floor, combined with the particularly high ceiling, gives this venue its reflective characteristics. Built in the 1920's, this is a superb example of a concert hall.

Also, here's a snippet from a Dundee University press release, found at:-

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/proct03/queen.html

"We love playing in Dundee because the Caird Hall has some of the best acoustic properties in Europe and the audiences appreciate the orchestra’s dynamic and exciting playing.

Maybe the council should promote it, primarily, as a concert hall, rather than as an "events venue"?

djmacdonald73

July 18th, 2009, 11:38 AM

.
There appears to be a confusion here, between an "exhibition/conference centre" and a concert hall.
Although Dundee doesn't have the former, it certainly has the latter - it's called Caird Hall. It's a concert Hall. And there is is nothing wrong with the acoustics. Obviously, a hall designed for concerts involving live musicians playing without sound reinforcement, eg an orchestra, is going to require a sound engineer to show his worth when 'mixing' the performance of a 'pop' band. If the mix is wrong, the acoustics get the blame, although the failure is at the mixing desk, not with the acoustic design of the hall.

Here's what it says at:-

http://www.acoustics.net/ir/ir_samp.asp?ir_id=102

Also, here's a snippet from a Dundee University press release, found at:-

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/proct03/queen.html

Maybe the council should promote it, primarily, as a concert hall, rather than as an "events venue"?

It doesn`t have that big a capacity though does it, relatively speaking? Does anyone know the actual figure?

It`s always annoyed me that Dundee has always lagged way behing Glasgow and Edinburgh, and even Aberdeen, in having a reasonable-sized venue to attract more bigger acts, etc to perform in the city (and all the economic benefits this would bring). For a while there Dundee established a bit of a reputation for smaller venues, to allow up-and-coming bands like the View and the Law to be heard, but this seems to be dying a death with the closure of The Doghouse.

jeff_h

July 18th, 2009, 12:31 PM

Cant believe they are building another supermarket - we truly are becoming a nation of shopkeepers:ohno:. Yes a purpose built venue is needed in my opinion. If you got rid of Tesco on Riverside there would be plenty of room for an iconic building like the Armadillo at SECC in Glasgow!!

s.findlay

July 18th, 2009, 12:55 PM

I have been following this thread for a while and have finally managed to read all of it! (It took a while)

Living in Dundee it has been amazing watching the changes that have been taking place over the last 7 or 8 years and how the city has almost transformed itself from post-industrial depression to a thriving community which is a world leader in life sciences and gaming.

However reading the posts about the Caird Hall I have to disagree with a few of them, i feel that the Caird Hall is a fantastic venue for both concerts and conferences (having been present at both) and I feel that combined with Fat Sams Live Dundee has certainly over taken Aberdeen and arguably Edinburgh as Scotland second most popular destinations for bands to play. Over the last 3 years alone Dundee has welcomed huge bands such as the Arctic Monkeys, Sterophonics, McFly just to name a few. I do agree however that Dundee could do with a large conference venue to compliment the other venues such as the University, Westpark and the Apex. This would further Dundee's place as one of Scotlands premier conference/business destinations.

SeoulDee

July 20th, 2009, 04:29 PM

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2009/07/20/story13485332t0.shtm

At least some good news has come from the recession. The more retail parks that are scrapped, the better. A blight on the landscape those things are. It's only a pity the supermarket wasn't scrapped as well. Another few hundred minimum wage, part-time jobs are just what the city needs to replace its old industrial heartland...:ohno:

djmacdonald73

July 22nd, 2009, 08:39 AM

SeoulDee

July 22nd, 2009, 04:19 PM

I agree about the supermarket, but surely the proposed hotel would have been good for the economy?

What type of hotel was it going to be though? Just another Travel Inn/Motel style hotel? Any quality hotel should be going in or around the city centre.

djmacdonald73

July 23rd, 2009, 08:41 AM

SeoulDee

July 24th, 2009, 04:21 PM

Not exactly development-related, but what do you guys think of the proposals to build a Centre of Excellence for computer games somewhere down south, effectively building on a lot of the hard work Abertay Uni has done over the past few years while snubbing Dundee as a location for it to be built?

Not surprising really. The quicker Scotland is independent and can make it's own decisions for the benefit of the Scottish people, the better.

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2009/07/24/story13508507t0.shtm

Yet another bloody Tesco! I am beginning to despise that company with a passion. Those damn shops are everywhere like rats. They are all over South Korea and they are springing up all over Shanghai. They seem to want all of everybodys money, everywhere.

dufc1909

July 24th, 2009, 04:29 PM

Hi guys,

I have an attachment I would like to post but it wont let me . . how do I sort it ?

You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may edit your posts

M_Riaz

July 24th, 2009, 04:45 PM

I have an attachment I would like to post but it wont let me . . how do I sort it ?

Only hosted Image files can be posted. if its a word file copy and paste.

They wont allow any other formats other than image or embeded youtube files to be posted on the Forum.

hope this helps.

dufc1909

July 24th, 2009, 05:10 PM

Thanks M_Riaz.

Its a scanned image saved as a jpeg, was just wondering how the photos appear on the forum.

I suppose before I discover how to do it and I`m back in town for a visit I can make some comments.

SeoulDee is correct with comments about Dundee and the games industry, there has to be more investment from the scottish government we cannot rest upon our laurels. You can bet they will put full marketing force as well as our money on the Salford project. Its a railroad mantality . . . speaking off . . . so is Tesco.

Yes they want every penny . . . .

Dundee and the creative city . . . lets hope they sustain the effort involved . .

These "Creative city" things started in the 90`s . . Toronto I think and a lot of cities jumped on the band wagon . . its a money generator for companys who write feasability studies.

I`d like to see dundee marketing creative events like the blues bonaza, broughty gala week, the flower show etc:

It has bee proved that to stage large events / gigs in dundee we do not need to build a new venue . . . we have camperdown park or for that matter a fully enclosed arena called Caird park. Did this not hold 10,000 people for the highland games.

I drove back from Edinburgh airport this morning, havent been back for a month or so, saw the new dundee sign . . . Hmmnn . . .I reserve judgement . .

Would some one please trace and prosecute the tosser who has defaced all the road signs along riverside. I`m sure he / she will be on the Dundee police data base begun a few years ago . .if not put him on it . .

Rant over . . . .

M_Riaz

July 24th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Np... image hosting sites like Photobucket or Imageshack and register, host your images up then you can load up your images to your posts.

there are help (http://reg.imageshack.us/content.php?page=help) files on IS as well

:)

Cheers.

dufc1909

July 28th, 2009, 09:48 AM

Good morning . . . . . sorry about the rant . . I guess I was still suffering airport fatigue . . face masks etc:

I flew back from CDG on an Air France city jet and read a good article in their in flight magazine called " The small city with big ambition" it was about the regeneration of Dundee by travel writer Nick Bruno who is based in Dundee.
I ripped out the page scanned it to post it on here . . but.

Wow . .the town is`nt half changing . .the westport, parker st, the waterfront, kingsway.
Even seen a new little wind turbine out by ninewells hospital.

I came accross this website you might be interested in . .

http://www.godundee.co.uk/story/go-dundee-i/

jeff_h

July 29th, 2009, 07:33 PM

From Architecture Scotland

Dundee has come a long way from its jute, jam and journalism days, a fact proudly proclaimed by the cities new marketing slogan “One City Many Discoveries” which supplants this traditional notion of the city for one of video games, biotechnology and tourism.

Les Banks, planning and transportation coordinator at Dundee City Council, is an ambassador for this push saying: “The perception of Dundee is not good but this is a great place to live, whatever folk thought it was it’s changed. We’re getting on top of things in a way that somewhere like Glasgow can’t.

“Everything we do is geared toward stemming an out migration of people and after years of population falls we’re now looking at a balanced picture of incomers and outgoers”.

Leading this charge on the ground Banks is overseeing an ambitious waterfront renewal plan that is adopting the vision, if not the architecture, of Dundee’s 1911 waterfront master plan from city architect James Thompson. The scheme proposes reconnecting Dundee to the Tay by extrapolating existing streets down to the waterfront and developing a series of gridded blocks.

A range of active ground floor uses will be insisted upon for primary routes served by these developments, centred upon a public events space as big as George Square that will be at the heart of this waterfront quarter, providing flexible entertainment space for concerts, fairs and markets and complementing a planned V&A outpost which, according to Banks is now looking “more likely”.

To accommodate this expansion it will be necessary for a realignment of access ramps to the Tay bridge, their rationalisation permitting greater efficiency of land use and precedes demolition of a series of drab waterfront buildings from the Olympia Centre and Hilton to Tayside House, Dundee City Council’s present unloved home. This will be demolished once Reiach and Hall’s new council HQ is completed at Overgate.

Explosive demolition had been looked at to launch the regeneration with a bang but insurance issues (and proximity to a railway tunnel) precluded this eye catching demise. Nevertheless Banks said: “We could have sold raffle tickets to the demolition, it would have paid for itself. Every Dundonian would have gladly contributed a fiver to the cause!”