Elected members approve Harbour Square stage 1 funding

Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture Committee were today given an update in relation to the proposed application to the Department for Communities (DfC) for the Harbour Square Redevelopment Project, including the installation of a new public artwork to honour the role played by factory girls in the city.

Members of the committee heard how the Harbour Square Redevelopment project is an integral part of the Central Riverfront Development plan outlined within the City Deal proposal. It will see the creation of a high quality public realm project, linking the historical core of the Walled City to a new attractive and lively riverfront zone and improve the quality of the built environment within the City. 

Stephen Gillespie, Director for Business and Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council explained that the total global cost estimate for this project is estimated to be around £1.4m. and to date, Council has submitted an initial application to DfC, focused on securing the necessary financial resource to appoint an Integrated Consultancy Team (ICT) tasked with the delivery of the Harbour Square Redevelopment project from RIBA state 0 to RIBA stage 7.

Members heard that the ICT will be procured under a NEC Professional Services Contract to produce a design to allow them procure an IST using a Develop and Construct Contract.  DCSDC will prepare, compile and submit a subsequent funding application for the capital element of the project as part of a two stage process.

Elected members of the committee were reminded at the meeting that they had previously approved a Council contribution to costs of £10,000 against an estimated cost of £100,000 for stage 1 of this project. Following the compilation of a detailed cost plan by Capital Development (with stage 1 now incorporating site surveys and artist fees as well as the ICT and green book appraisal services detailed in the report BC93/19) the total cost for stage 1 is estimated at £173,500.

Members at the meeting were also informed that as DfC have stated an expectation that Council will make a 10% contribution to this project as a minimum, it is estimated for stage 1 of this project the expected contribution to costs for Council will be £17,350.

Members at the meeting approved the additional contribution of £7,350 to be made by Council at this time.

The Chairperson of the Business and Culture Committee Cllr Rory Farrell welcomed news of progress on this project and said it is imperative that Council continues to work with DFC to advance it and that every effort is made to deliver on this important public artwork for the city and district.

To view the papers from the meeting click on https://bit.ly/3nTcTwb

You can watch the meeting on Council’s Youtube channel - https://bit.ly/3nIgTzf