Options revealed in Sir Ian Wood’s vision for Union Terrace Gardens
Hundreds back tycoon’s bid
By David Ewen chief reporter
Published: 13/11/2008
THE debate about the future of Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens is well and truly under way.
Sir Ian Wood’s astonishing offer of £50 million would be used to help create a new civic square at street level in the heart of Aberdeen.
Sir Ian wants it to stretch all the way to Belmont Street and would be looking for public backing and funding support from the public and private sector.
A feasibility study on the plans for Union Terrace Gardens is due for completion in March 2009. Options would then go out for public consultation with a decision on any plan expected by December.
Hundreds of people have already spoken out in support of Sir Ian’s vision.
And in an independent survey of 735 people commissioned by the Evening Express, 392 (53%) backed the idea.
However, it has also raised many questions – not least what is done with the space above and below ground.
Today we look at some of the options.
CAR PARKING
THERE would be room for hundreds of cars below the civic square at Union Terrace Gardens.
Retail expert Andrew Turnbull, a lecturer at Robert Gordon University, said making the square “accessible” was a must.
He said: “The practicalities of car parking must be considered. If this is to be a success, infrastructure needs to be there in support.”
However, bringing more cars into the city centre would create congestion challenges.
The city council’s transport policy aims to get people on the bus.
Sir Ian isn’t keen on the idea either.
He said: “My vision certainly doesn’t see significant building above ground or significant car parking underground.”
A NEW TRAIN STATION
YOU would step off the train – and continue serenely upwards to the civic square.
Sir Ian said: “The new square could also provide the opportunity to bring train and bus passengers into the heart of the city by utilising the rail tracks and roadway below and linking them to lifts and escalators.”
A train stop would support the city council’s push for improved public transport – and would be just a short hop from the new transport hub at Union Square.
A Union Square spokesman said: “We would welcome any plans that would enhance the city.”
MORE SHOPS
MONTREAL and Moscow houses shops underground – and retail expert Andrew Turnbull believes Aberdeen could do the same.
He said: “The current economic climate should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat. A downturn is almost invariably followed by a period of recovery.”
He believes the city could support an underground shopping centre and the £250 million Union Square retail and transport hub – due to open in 2009 – just half a mile to the south.
ABERDEEN’S CENTRAL PARK
SIR Ian describes his vision for Union Terrace Gardens as a “cross between the Grand Italian Piazza and a mini Central Park”.
Other than providing a home for the Peacock Arts Centre, he sees little building above ground.
Indeed, he hopes the square “will highlight the quality of the surrounding architecture”.
It could also help provide the impetus to tackle one of city’s biggest eyesores – the derelict Triple Kirks site on Schoolhill.
A spokeswoman for The Stewart Milne Group, which owns it, said: “We have bought the site at Triple Kirks but we haven’t finalised any plans for development yet.
“So it’s premature to consider how the site could be developed in line with Sir Ian’s vision.”
A TOURIST ATTRACTION
TEN years ago plans for a tourist attraction to rival Glasgow’s Burrell Collection and Edinburgh Castle were unveiled. It was to be based around “oil” and the ingenuity of North Sea workers.
One city businessman said the perfect showcase would be the space beneath a new civic square.
Charles Skene, of Skene Investments, said: “There could be a range of hand-exhibits showing all the professions connected with oil.”
Mr Skene first proposed the idea of raising Union Terrace Gardens in the early 1980s when he was head of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce.
The property company boss said: “I’m strongly in favour of what is proposed. It is major opportunity.
“It is the last great open space which is under-utilised.”