The Eastern Quarter area is being put forward to be the next priority focus in the council’s long-term plan to improve Dundee city centre.
Councillors on the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure committee are being asked to approve the approach as they consider the latest update to the City Centre Strategic Investment Plan (CCSIP).
A report recommends that the Eastern Quarter of the city centre should be the focus of activity over the next five years, and that external funding should be pursued to support long-term investment.
Meanwhile, a £1 million programme of streetscape works in Commercial Street and Murraygate is being proposed in the next phase of work to enhance the public realm in a bid to help address vacancies.
A longer-term masterplan responding to the challenges and opportunities of the Eastern Quarter would acknowledge that as a UNESCO City of Design, it is vital to use the transformative power of design to improve and redefine Dundee city centre.
Committee convener Councillor Steven Rome said: “The CCSIP is an ambitious 30-year plan which recognises the current situation and looks to ensure that improvements can be made for the future.
“This is no easy task, as the challenges faced by Dundee are reflected across the country. The impact of the internet combined with the pandemic has dealt a double blow to traditional High Street shopping.
“I am keen that we can work to make Dundee city centre an attractive destination where there is much to see and do for both locals and visitors alike. This involves thinking differently about how we approach solutions.”
He added: “Putting a focus on the Eastern Quarter recognises that there are many opportunities as well as challenges in this part of the city centre.
“In the relatively short time since it was approved, the CCSIP has already delivered a number of improvements. I am pleased to see the determination that is being applied to the efforts that will make our city centre a better place for everyone.”
Challenges and opportunities identified the Eastern Quarter include actions which could support the Wellgate Centre in the shorter term, as well as possibilities for its future.
Encouraging maintenance and reuse of prominent buildings that are in a poor and deteriorating condition, including the King’s Theatre, could make a significant contribution towards delivery of the CCSIP’s aims.
Also, the Low Emission Zone could represent a longer-term opportunity to improve the Seagate for pedestrians, while active travel connections from the city centre to areas at the east and north-east of the city centre could be enhanced.
A detailed report outlines that following approval of the CCSIP in October 2022, a number of developments are already in motion.
These include the city centre commercial waste pilot, Commercial Street enhancement, city lights city nights, shopfront improvements, enhancements to New Inn Entry and the green transport hub and spokes.
The CCSIP covers five broad themes of:
· Living
· Working
· Visiting
· Connectivity
· Public Realm
The full plan can be found here.
The Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee meets on Monday January 8, 2024 to consider the CCSIP update and next steps report.
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
