Funding plea for new Dundee landmark
by Pete Hayman | 10 Mar 2009
The Scottish Government has been called upon to help provide funding for the creation of a new landmark building on Dundee's waterfront that could house a proposed Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum.
Kevin Keenan, chair of the Dundee Waterfront Board (DWB), wants to see an iconic 'anchor' building developed as part of the wider regeneration of the city's waterfront, in order to capture the public's imagination and to act as a catalyst for further schemes. Last week, Dundee City Council (DCC) was awarded £33m by Scottish Enterprise – part of a £70m package – towards a project that aims to reconnect Dundee city centre with the River Tay through a series of projects, including the creation of new public spaces.
But while the funding will enable work to get underway on the creation of a new storm water tank, the new northern boulevard and the redevelopment of the Tay Road Bridge, DWB has claimed that more cash will be needed to create a new building to house the proposed V&A facility. It is hoped that if the V&A at Dundee proposals are approved, it will become a national hub for contemporary arts and will be inspired by the city's modern art and design heritage, including comics, animation and computer games.
Keenan said: "The money that has already been announced was earmarked some time ago for infrastructure works that will create the framework for development and help to physically recreate the link between the city centre and the river. "But if the waterfront vision is to be delivered and we truly want to put Dundee's, and with it Scotland's, cultural importance on the map, then we will need new money to design something with the wow factor."
A feasibility study has already been carried out looking at the proposals for a new V&A Museum in Dundee, which it is hoped could be ready to open in 2013.
The Scottish Government has been called upon to help provide funding for the creation of a new landmark building on Dundee's waterfront that could house a proposed Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum. Kevin Keenan, chair of the Dundee Waterfront Board (DWB), wants to see an iconic 'anchor' building developed as part of the wider regeneration of the city's waterfront, in order to capture the public's imagination and to act as
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