Council chiefs have fired the starting gun on the ambitious city centre plan after unanimously agreeing to ask specialists to draw up designs for a radical revamp of Union Terrace Gardens.
As part of the massive project, shops and gallery units could be fitted into the Victorian park’s arches and a bridge spanning the gardens from Belmont Street to Union Terrace could be built.
An amphitheatre for public events could be installed and the park’s historic toilets turned into a lift.
And today the Press and Journal can reveal up to £17million has been earmarked for the scheme, which also includes the proposed expansion of Union Terrace Gardens to the north towards Denburn and Woolmanhill.
Last night, the local authority’s finance, policy and resources committee unanimously agreed to invite firms to bid to carry out the design work for the sunken park.
The committee also approved a proposal to explore options for improving public space at Golden Square and on Schoolhill outside Robert Gordon’s College.
The work is part of a £2million package of improvements for the wider city centre which will be funded from the masterplan budget.
The specialist firm chosen to create the design will be asked to produce costings and a business case.
If the plans are approved by the council, the work would then go out to tender.
A public consultation to gather feedback to help hone the proposals would take place towards the end of this year, with work on the ground scheduled to start before autumn 2017.
Aberdeen City Council leader, Councillor Jenny Laing, said: “This design commission will deliver a transformational regeneration scheme for Union Terrace Gardens.
“This not simply about historic restoration of a much-loved Victorian park but the delivery of a contemporary, attractive and active environment for residents, workers and visitors to Aberdeen city centre.
“Union Terrace Gardens is one of Aberdeen’s gems and we want to improve access and usage so everyone can share and enjoy this wonderful green space in the very heart of our city.”
Council deputy leader Marie Boulton, who chairs the cross-party city centre regeneration board, said: “We have listened to the people and are responding with real action that will improve the quality of life for everyone who uses our city centre.”
The design team is expected to be chosen towards the end of the summer.
At last night’s finance meeting the administration was supported by opposition parties, who had previously backed the masterplan when it was first mooted in June last year.
SNP finance spokesman Graham Dickson said: “I think it is really important that we are taking this first step with the masterplan.
“It will give people confidence that the council will progress through these projects on a case by case basis while making real progress.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Yuill said: “We are happy to support the proposal which we think will start to make a big difference to our city centre.”
Union Terrace Gardens has been at the centre of controversy since 2008 when north-east oil services entrepreneur Sir Ian Wood pledged £50million of his own money to create a new, raised civic space.
Opponents fought the plans and formed the Friends of Union Terrace Gardens campaign group, which continues to work to improve the area.
The City Gardens Project was abandoned in 2012, despite winning the backing of 52% of the public in a referendum, after the council and its newly elected Labour-led administration supported an alternative proposal to regenerate the area.