Construction could commence on Aberdeen’s major beach revamp by the end of next year.
Councillors are being urged to pave the way for the first stages of the multi-million pound masterplan project when they meet next week.
Under a newly published timeline of events, that could mean work on an “events park” capable of staging festivals and farmers markets gets under way before 2023 is out.
And around the same timeframe, construction on a new ampitheatre, sports area and play park could also swing into action.
What are councillors being asked to agree?
Last November, Aberdeen City Council signed off on the ambitious package of proposals aimed at rejuvenating the beach.
Since then, construction tsars have been hard at work plotting the way forward.
Now, seven months on, they have provided a “development framework” outlining how such a mammoth scheme could take shape.
Councillors will be asked to instruct the commercial department to create full business cases for various strands of the masterplan, which will be brought back to them in December.
The cash will come from a £150m fund set aside for the beach and city centre regeneration programmes.
They will also vote on creating outline cases for stages of the scheme to be completed later on.
And the commercial bosses could be ordered to “progress coastal protection studies” required as part of the works.
What could come to life first?
Under the proposed timeframe, work on the play park, sports area, pump track, events field and a gateway building could all start within the next 18 months.
Landscaping for a new viewpoint at Broad Hill would also begin then.
Work on a new leisure facility, which could be combined with a new Dons stadium depending on those how talks progress, could also get going at this stage.
During a further phase at the start of 2024, the redevelopment of the Beach Ballroom could begin along with efforts to pedestrianise Beach Boulevard.
That would also be when work on a “pedestrian spine” stretching from the Justice Street roundabout to the seaside commences.
Landscaping along the beach would begin then too, replacing the worn walkways with attractive new replacements.
What will the play park feature?
Green space around the beach would be divided into a play park on the currently unused strip next to Codona’s, an events field across the road and an ampitheatre adjacent to the Beach Ballroom.
The play park would feature a pump track for BMX bikers, a basketball court, separate areas with equipment for older and younger children and a volleyball court.
What about the eye-catching boardwalk jutting out into the North Sea?
The papers to be discussed by councillors on Wednesday offer no fixed timeline for the construction of the triangular pier.
Officers need to review flood defences before progressing that part of the plan.
The papers state: “A specialist marine survey organisation has now been appointed.”
Meanwhile, you can read more about the plans for a plaza and revamped Beach Ballroom here.
Are you in favour of the beach redevelopment? Let us know in our comments section below
What’s the latest on the possible new Dons stadium?
The report, penned by chief officer of the commercial and procurement department Craig Innes, says the council continues to “engage” with Aberdeen FC about including a replacement for Pittodrie in the beach masterplan.
He writes: “Planning activities have been progressed, including demand studies for the facility undertaken in association with AFC.”
A business case for the stadium will be completed at the next stage of the process, if councillors push ahead with the scheme next week.
What is the purpose of the Aberdeen beach construction projects?
The report to councillors states that the draft framework they are being asked to endorse will “revitalise and renew the area to maximise its potential” and “create an exceptional asset for the city of Aberdeen”.
The proposals will “be attuned to the needs of the local community whilst aiming to position the beachfront as a prominent visitor location and reconnect the beach with the city centre”.
Will I be able to have my say?
Elected members are now being asked to approve a six-week period of public consultation on the designs.
The outcome of those talks will be reported back later in the year – along with any resulting tweaks.
You can read the papers here.
Conversation