Newcastle Area - Improving the Public Realm (Streetscape, Public Squares, Fountains, etc)

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by GBDT

There are water features/fountains in the civic centre grounds - Tyne God and the Swans in Flight, but as you mention the winds can put the water all over the place.

Cheers
GBDT

Yes, but it is just a shame that we cannot have something like this, out in the main public areas of the City Centre . . .

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

I agree, it is a real shame that we do not have a few SUBSTANTIAL fountains, in public spaces in the City Centre.

They make a big difference.

The only major-sized area that I can think of, where we can have fountains, say, like those referred to in Sheffield . . .




would be in Times Square . . .



I do not consider it to be (other than by reputation) any windier in this part of England, than in most others, for example - Sheffield!!

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Sheffield makes extensive use of fountains in all of it's superb public spaces.

Here are some pictures from the Sheffield forum:

Millennium Square:






Peace Gardens:











Barker's Pool:

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr




Sheaf Square:







Tudor Square:

image hosted on flickr






Leopald Square:



image hosted on flickr


The pictures don't really do the quality of the spaces justice mind. What I like best too is that lots of these public spaces were created through the demolition of buildings that were out of place. I wish we had someone in charge of urban realm as ambitious and imaginative in Newcastle as they do in Sheffield.

[Seldom Seen Kid]

It would be great to see something like the above in Newcastle. Could work with the demolition of the 70's office block on Neville Street (home to Head of Steam, Long Bar etc). It's out of place with it's surrounding area and the public space would create a much better first impression for those traveling into Central Station than we have currently.

[WilfBurnsFan]

Originally Posted by Seldom Seen Kid

It would be great to see something like the above in Newcastle. Could work with the demolition of the 70's office block on Neville Street (home to Head of Steam, Long Bar etc). It's out of place with it's surrounding area and the public space would create a much better first impression for those traveling into Central Station than we have currently.

Or somewhere in the EPS development.

In fact... what the hell... let's have both!

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Originally Posted by Seldom Seen Kid

It would be great to see something like the above in Newcastle. Could work with the demolition of the 70's office block on Neville Street (home to Head of Steam, Long Bar etc). It's out of place with it's surrounding area and the public space would create a much better first impression for those traveling into Central Station than we have currently.

That's been my fantasy plan for years. Move the tenants of Neville House into the new building planned for between Revs & the Union Rooms and build a grand public square for Newcastle in front of the station.

If only I could win the Euromillions!

[WilfBurnsFan]

Originally Posted by Irish Blood English Heart

Move the tenants of Neville House into the new building planned for between Revs & the Union Rooms and build a grand public square for Newcastle in front of the station.

Except the Head of Steam. Move the Head of Steam where it should have been right from the start - the old refreshment rooms - and farewell to the execrable Centurion!

[Irish Blood English Heart]

I'd go with that!

[DXNewcastle]

Originally Posted by Irish Blood English Heart

That's been my fantasy plan for years. Move the tenants of Neville House into the new building planned for between Revs & the Union Rooms and . . . . .

I think you probably mean 'Baron House'.
I'd go along with that dream too. Now that East Coast Railways are moving their call centre from in there to somewhere in India then there's even less reason to keep it standing - just a few mediocre pubs, But Head of Steam would have to be sympathetically re-sited, as WBF and IBEH have suggested!

[Landscapeadvocate]

Wow- great to see those clippings. So much ambition for the city that has been ignored!

The fountains at the Peace gardens in Sheffield are connected to a control system, which is simply controlled by a wind gauge on top of the adjacent building. When the wind increases the fountains correspondingly reduce in power (and height). Thus no-one gets needlessly wet. This is simple technology these days.

More opinions on St Nicholas Square?

[Adrian_Swall]

The Bobby Robson Pocket Memorial Park has had some plinths / stones lowered into place today. Not sure if they are engraved or anything. Have some photos - if I can find how to upload them! Hopefully finished for the last game of the season. RIP Sir Bobby.

[Newcastle Historian]

Official Opening of the Sir Bobby Robson Memorial Garden
Newcastle United FC, Official Website, 20th May 2011



The Official Opening of the Sir Bobby Robson Memorial Gardenm will take place before Sundays Premier League home game with West Bromwich Albion.

Figures from the world of football will join with dignatories from the City and members of the Robson family, to pay tribute to the legendary former Magpies and England Manager.

The event will take place at 1pm on Sunday, on land near St James' Park, on Gallowgate, with the highlight being the unveiling of a series of sculpted monumental stones that feature images from Sir Bobby's remarkable life and work.

The aim of the garden is to provide a peaceful space for reflection, in the heart of the City, and the sculptural work celebrates Sir Bobby's career, right up to his work for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

At an early stage, Newcastle City Council collaborated with business improvement district NE1 Ltd to clear the site and complete the garden’s layout.

At the same time, the Council commissioned North East born sculptor Graeme Mitcheson to develop an original concept by the Council’s landscape architect Richard Barnes. Graeme is a lifelong Newcastle United supporter from Ashington, who now lives and works in Leicester.

Sir Bobby’s widow Lady Robson said: "My husband took great pride in his own garden at home and my family and I feel this is a very fitting memorial to him.

"We're very grateful to everyone who has helped make this garden a reality and look forward to seeing it develop and grow over the years and I hope people enjoy spending time there, remembering Bob with affection."


Read More - http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110...281670_2364000

[Newcastle Historian]

The Sir Bobby Robson Memorial
Garden opened in Central Newcastle
by Vicky Robson, The Journal, May 23rd 2011



SCORES of fans gathered for an emotional unveiling of a memorial garden dedicated to football legend Sir Bobby Robson.

Family, friends and dignitaries came together to honour the former Newcastle United and England manager at a special ceremony held to officially open the garden near St James’ Park yesterday.

United’s manager Alan Pardew also attended the event on the former Carnegie Electric site at Gallowgate in Newcastle city centre.

Tributes were first paid by lord mayor of Newcastle, coun Brenda Hindmarsh, who said: “He was a family man who loved the North East and this football club. This memorial garden, in the shadow of St James’ Park, is a tribute to that remarkable life.”

Five carved stones – each one representing an era of Sir Bobby’s life – were then unveiled by his wife, Lady Elsie Robson, and sons Mark and Andrew.

Speaking to The Journal, Andrew said: “It’s been a while in the planning and the family are absolutely delighted at the opening of this garden reflecting the five eras of my father’s career in the stories, on the stones. We are very grateful to Newcastle City Council for creating this garden.

“I just think my father would have been amazed that a memorial garden has been set up in the centre of Newcastle, particularly in the shadow of St James’ Park.”

SIR BOBBY ROBSON FOUNDATION - http://www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1NAcSMytE

[bigchrisfgb]

I went by a few weeks ago and noticed the site had been closed and workmen were machine polishing the cement on the ground. I'm looking forward to seeing it but I just don't know when I'll have the time to be able to go up and have a look.

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by bigchrisfgb

I went by a few weeks ago and noticed the site had been closed and workmen were machine polishing the cement on the ground. I'm looking forward to seeing it but I just don't know when I'll have the time to be able to go up and have a look.

So, here is a photo of it Chris, from tonights (23rd May 2011) Evening Chronicle, and a few other photos from the ceremony . . .








The Evening Chronicle article - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...2703-28745346/

[bigchrisfgb]

Thanks NH. Where those stones are is where the work was being carried out. It would be nice if in future a statue of Sir Bobby could nicely worked into the garden. It would also be nice if the council did what they said they were going to do at the time of his death and rename St James' boulevard to Sir Bobby avenue.

[gregstone]

um, the council didn't say they would do this, this was one councillor's suggestion (made to the press without any consultation), and it was politely declined because there was already a Sir Bobby Robson Way. The council said it would work with Sir Bobby's family to develop a suitable memorial - which it has.

[bigchrisfgb]

Originally Posted by gregstone

um, the council didn't say they would do this, this was one councillor's suggestion (made to the press without any consultation), and it was politely declined because there was already a Sir Bobby Robson Way. The council said it would work with Sir Bobby's family to develop a suitable memorial - which it has.

Oh right, thanks for clearing that up Greg. I generally thought it was something that was going to happen.

[Newcastle Historian]

.
How times change . . .

I have just got the below from the NE1 (Business Improvement District) Website.

New Pedestrian Signage for the City



This month (May 2011) sees the culmination of a 15 month project to transform the city centre's pedestrian signage from
out-dated and dilapidated fingerposts to a modern map-based 'way finding' system.

A detailed map will feature on new signposts - allowing people to quickly and easily orient themselves, as well as pinpointing the main attractions in the city.

The project, coordinated by NE1 Ltd and co-funded by NE1 and the City Council, will see signs installed on the key pedestrian routes in the heart of the city. The first phase of the new system is being installed in May with Newcastle City Council committed to rolling out the system to the rest of the city by the end of March 2012.

The route chosen for Phase 1 from the Central Station to Haymarket, via Grainger St and Grey's Monument was carefully selected by an expert panel drawn from various businesses and educational sectors. The panel chose the route, the information displayed in the map and helped prioritise destinations and ensured accuracy.

Subsequent phases will see the new signs installed across the city centre. The system layout will be designed by the City Council's Technical Services Division with the hardware element funded by NE1 Ltd.

Commenting on the new way finding system, Adrian Waddell Director of Operations at Newcastle's NE1 Ltd explained: "NE1 Ltd is delighted to have coordinated Phase 1 of the new Way Finding scheme - Newcastle is getting a high quality system that we can be proud of and which will be of huge value to visitors to the city.

The locations of some of our key attractions including the Quayside, Chinatown and our museums and galleries aren't always obvious to newcomers. This system will make it easy for people to orientate themselves and get to where they want to go as well as reflecting the quality of what the city has to offer."

Read More - http://www.newcastlene1ltd.com/

All good stuff, you may say!

But look back to 1988 and you will find massive praise being heaped upon the current (then new) "colour coded" signage system . . .




Below photo taken 14th June 2011, showing lack of maintenance . .


BLUE - for the central area around Grey's Monument and Eldon Square.

RED - for the West Central area around the Tyne Theatre and Central Station.

BLACK - for the Quayside and Moot Hall areas.

GREEN - for the Haymarket and Civic Centre areas.

Two years were spent designing this new 'Coloured Finger Sign System', thought to be the first of its kind in Britain

How times change . . .



. . . and life goes around (like the pedestrians in the City Centre) in eternal circles!

.

[WilfBurnsFan]

I like the new onesm - they look up to date and cleanly designed (heaven defend us from 'heritage street furniture'). And they look less prone to being swivelled around by naughty boys and/or patriotic citizens keen to baffle German paratroops.

[BigLebowski]

Originally Posted by Irish Blood English Heart

The maps and new signs remind me of the ones in Sheffield, a definite improvement.

Much clearer than the old ones, which always reminded me of this....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_hurd_family/495505399/