THE NEXT stages for the redevelopment of Queen Street, including the creation of a new urban park at its heart, have been approved today (Monday 11 September).
The new park will be developed through public engagement and could provide a community orchard, gardens, an event space and green terraces . The site is next to the former Police Scotland HQ, which is earmarked for a refit or rebuild for new uses that could include residential or office use.
The project was one of a shortlist of five options for the area provided in an outline business case discussed and approved at today’s Full Council meeting.
The decision to transform the area to include a new urban park was based on a number of criteria aligning with the council’s City Centre Masterplan including the stimulation economic growth via increased footfall, affordability and the contribution of a new green space to the authority’s Net Zero ambitions.
Officers will now undertake further steps towards progressing the new park including stakeholder consultation and engagement to inform the design. Progress on the development of a more detailed business case for redevelopment of the former Police HQ will be presented to councillors in December. Work to strip out redundant internal fixtures, fittings and asbestos removal from the former Police HQ will also start in the coming months.
Councillor Michael Hutchison, Aberdeen City Council’s City Centre spokesman, said: “I am delighted that we have taken the next step towards creating an Urban Park in Queen Street – improving both the quality and the amount of green space in our city centre.
“This is an opportunity to improve active travel routes, better link up our city centre, and make this part of our city a bit greener.
“Alongside the council’s wider plans for the city centre, we will make our city a more attractive destination and a better place to live, work and grow-up.”
Co-Leader, Councillor Ian Yuill, said: “The park at Queen Street will be the first completely new park in Aberdeen in many years. This new green space in our city centre will play a key part in the transformation of the city centre and beach areas into places that an increasing number of people will wish to live, play and do business in.”
