THE £2.2million contract to 're-imagine' Glasgow's civic centre has been awarded to an architecture firm involved in the design of London's new crossrail station on Bond Street.

John McAslan and Partners has been appointed for the latest phase of the £115million city centre Avenues programme, which has transformed the lower half of Sauchiehall Street into an active travel route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Alongside changes to George Square, the project will focus on public realm improvements to the surrounding areas including George Street, St Vincent Street, John Street, Dundas Street and Dundas Lane.

Proposals include a "high-quality" pedestrian link from the newly re-developed Queen Street Station to Argyle Street, passing through the square, Hanover Street and Miller Street.

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There will be a focus on infrastructure that encourages the use of public transport and active travel.

The council is considering closing two sides of George Square  with the east side outside the City Chambers and the opposite end at Merchants House fully pedestrianised.

The two longer sides would be for bus, taxi, private hire and cycles only between 7am and 7pm.

The Herald:

The council said the timing of the project will factor in the city's hosting of  major events, including the climate conference COP26 and the UCI Cycling World Championships. Construction work is due to begin shortly after the latter in the summer of 2023.

The estimated cost for the proposed George Square works is between £8million to £10million, with the works at Hanover Street and Miller Street estimated at £2 to £3million. 

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The design contract attracted 91 expressions of interest and 17 submissions, with a shortlist of seven teams going to a final consideration.

The  council said the views of the public will be central to the plans and said works would not disrupt city centre businesses.

"This project offers a unique opportunity to reimagine George Square and to consider it in the context of being part of a number of civic spaces in the city centre."

The local authority was widely criticised in 1998 when half the grassy beds and trees on George Square were ripped up and replaced by red tarmac, which was laid without warning or public consultation.

John McAslan and Partners, who are leading the current re-design, were appointed to oversee a plan for George Square in 2013.

Six of the shortlisted designs proposed the removal of statues and the addition of a water feature.

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The jury stalled on the decision before eventually selecting a submission from McAslan.

Then, in a surprise U-turn and after spending around £100,000 on the project, the plans were scrapped by Glasgow City Council.

The firm is currently involved in the design of the new Crossrail station at London's Bond Street and more specifically its integration with the surrounding areas.

The Herald:

The plan includes the transformation of Hanover Square in Mayfair into a  "green refuge" with pedestrianisation. The firm was also involved in the transformation of King's Cross station.

George square was laid out in the 1780s, inspired by the Georgian grid system that was taking hold in Edinburgh.

By the 1820s it was a private residential garden surrounded by imposing townhouses but was given over the public after 1842 when Queen Street station opened, and the line between Edinburgh and Glasgow increased activity.

The City Chambers, which now house Glasgow City Council, were completed in 1888.
The £115million Avenues programme in Glasgow city centre is a Glasgow City Region City Deal project, funded by the Scottish and UK Governments.