Council bosses are looking to outside bodies to help with the funding of the multi-million pound overhaul of Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens.
A new report to councillors has revealed a gross budget for the massive works, due to be started this summer and completed by 2021, has been set at £28.3million with £25.7million set for construction.
But the report adds that other funding streams may be available for the more historical aspects of the renovations but that applications would have to be prepared quickly.
The report reads: “Funding opportunities have also been identified for other elements of the project, including preservation of the listed Victorian toilets and installation of art works.
“Due to time restrictions associated with external funding bodies – such as projects being completed with 12 months – it is intended that these applications will be developed in 2019/20.”
Last month it emerged the local authority had hired Balfour Beatty as the contractor for the works on the sunken Victorian park.
The designs, drafted by London Olympic Park designers LDA, include a new walkway from Union Street and lift access from Union Terrace.
There will be cafes and bars in the disused archways and reinstatement of the ‘grand staircase’ as a new route into the gardens from Rosemount Viaduct.
There would also be new safety measures incorporated along Union Bridge, with this work to be completed first.