A new action plan aims to improve the riverside on both banks of the river between the Jamaica Street and Stockwell Street in the centre of the city.
A new strategy to improve the area - now dubbed the St Enoch
Quarter - is to be devised to connect the Clyde to the city centre
and redevelop both banks of the river.
Council leaders and businesses have been frustrated
that a number of ideas to develop the area have failed in recent
years with many plans being drawn up but not followed
through.
The vision for St Enoch Quarter is part of the
wider City Centre Action Plan - reported in yesterday's Evening
Times - to breathe new life into the city and help it to continue
to compete with other European cities in the tourism, retail and
conference trade businesses.
It is hoped to develop the riverside between the
Glasgow and Victoria Bridges between Jamaica Street and Stockwell
Street.
Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Development and
Regeneration said the area has suffered as a result of the economic
downturn of recent years,
She said: "The general area has been the subject of
a variety of failed redevelopment proposals, principally as a
result of the economic downturn since 2007."
Ms Cameron said while there are many owners in the
area the council owns land at Custom House Quay on the north and
Calton Place Gardens on the south bank, which is hoped to be turned
into a riverside park location.
She added: "Today the general area, particularly
the waterfront is physically isolated from the rest of the city
centre and despite its prime riverfront location it remains to
fulfil its potential.
"Similarly the streets round the site remain under
used with vacant shops, unimplemented planning consents, vacant
redeveloped sites and currently a diverse quality of environ-
ment.
"There are limited active edges and staying
opportunities.
"There is literally no reason for anyone to be
attracted to or to stay at this general location."
The most recent proposal was for an Australian
developer to create floating restaurants, shops, flats and office
space at Custom House Quay, but the £200m plan fell through after
the lead developer, Rodney Price, filed for bankruptcy.
Other investors expressed an interest in taking
over the plans with major hotel groups showing interest, but were
not taken forward.
The council is now considering proposals to improve
the area and extend that vision along the river in both directions
to the Glasgow Green area to the east and the Hydro and SECC in the
west.
The strategy includes plans to:
lImprove existing - and create vibrant - public
spaces at Custom House Quay to attract visitors residents and
investors.
lIdentify development opportunities for commercial
activity like kiosks and cafes.
lInvestigate water-based use and activities and
promote events and festivals on the water and the banks.
lImprove public realm, lighting from St Enoch
Square to the river and beyond.
lImprove accessibility to the riverfront walkway
for walking cycling
As part of a new city centre strategy, plans are being devised
to improve the connections between the Clyde and the city, and
redevelop both banks of the river.
The vision for St Enoch Quarter is part of the wider City Centre
Action Plan to breathe new life into the city and help it to
continue to compete with other European cities in the tourism,
retail and conference trade businesses.
It is hoped to develop the riverside between the Glasgow and
Victoria Bridges between Jamaica Street and Stockwell Street.
Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Development and Regeneration
said the area has suffered as a result of the economic downturn of
recent years,
She said: "The general area has been the subject of a variety of
failed redevelopment proposals, principally as a result of the
economic downturn since 2007."
Ms Cameron said while there are many owners in the area the
council owns land at Custom House Quay on the north and Calton
Place Gardens on the south bank, which is hoped to be turned into a
riverside park location.
She added: "Today the general area, particularly the waterfront
is physically isolated from the rest of the city centre and despite
its prime riverfront location it remains to fulfil its
potential."
"Similarly the streets round the site remain under-used with
vacant shops, unimplemented planning consents, vacant redeveloped
sites and currently a diverse quality of environ- ment.
The council is now considering proposals to improve the area and
extend that vision along the river in both directions to the
Glasgow Green area to the east and the Hydro and SECC in the
west.
Source:
Evening Times - Plan to breathe new life into
riverside