Givan announces multi-million pound investment for Belfast city centre

Communities Minister, Paul Givan MLA has announced a multi-million pound investment to improve the streetscape from Castle Place to the new Ulster University campus on York Street.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Aug 2016, 06:00 BST
Updated 9th Aug 2016, 11:35 BST
Communities Minister, Paul Givan MLA and Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston pictured at the launch of Phase 3 of the Belfast Streets Ahead programme, which aims to improve the streetscape from Castle Place to the new Ulster University campus on York Street. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press EyeCommunities Minister, Paul Givan MLA and Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston pictured at the launch of Phase 3 of the Belfast Streets Ahead programme, which aims to improve the streetscape from Castle Place to the new Ulster University campus on York Street. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
Communities Minister, Paul Givan MLA and Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston pictured at the launch of Phase 3 of the Belfast Streets Ahead programme, which aims to improve the streetscape from Castle Place to the new Ulster University campus on York Street. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

A tender process has commenced to appoint a contractor to complete the works which will also extend to some surrounding streets.

The public realm scheme which was designed by a team led by McAdam Design, will see the area transformed to include new paving, street furniture, lighting and public artwork.

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The Department for Communities is contributing more than £20 million to the scheme which forms Phase 3 of the Belfast: Streets Ahead programme which aims to regenerate the entire city centre in a number of separate delivery stages.

Belfast City Council has also agreed to contribute £5m.

“My department's Belfast Streets Ahead Programme aims to regenerate the entire city centre in a number of phases,” said Mr Givan.

“This latest phase will deliver a high quality, sustainable public realm scheme in the north of the city centre that will make a significant contribution to the wider regeneration works in the area.

“These works will make the area more welcoming, vibrant and attractive to further investment and will build on the successful implementation of Belfast Streets Ahead in the heart of the shopping district which has helped transform the city centre.”

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He said the department had been working in close co-operation with the city ity council, Transport NI, Translink and other public and private sector stakeholders alonside the Ulster University to develop design proposals for the area.

“The next stage of the project is the appointment of a contractor to deliver the capital works for Phase 3 and I am pleased to announce that this process is now underway."

The procurement process is now open and will close on September 1, with work on the new scheme due to commence on site in spring or summer 2017.

“I am delighted that this investment by Belfast City Council will enhance this part of the city centre - one of a number of projects linked to our regeneration plans across Belfast,” said the lord Mayor.“It is vital that we play our part in promoting the growth of Belfast's economy by ensuring our city centre is an attractive environment for visitors and locals to visit and do business in."

Related topics:Department for CommunitiesBelfastBelfast City Council