Bradford's City Park given green light

15/07/2009

Bradford city centre is set to be transformed by the creation of a £24.4m City Park.

Bradford Council’s Executive today approved the funding and programme for the City Park. The £24.4m scheme will transform the city centre creating an urban park at the heart of Bradford.

The six-acre park will feature the largest water feature in any UK city – the mirror pool  - with fountains, green spaces, public art, relaxation and play areas. The 4,200sqm mirror pool features causeways, innovative special effects and a series of fountains with the tallest reaching 30m high.  It can be used both filled with water, but also drained and used for public events such as concerts, markets and sporting events. It will be able to hold a range of large scale events - an important addition for the district’s economy - hosting up to 10,000 people.

An independent report by Locum Consulting predicted that City Park will attract 2.2 million visits each year, bringing an extra £80m annually to the local economy

Coun Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration & Economy said: “The City Park is a critical step forward for Bradford’s regeneration, bringing world-class public realm to the city centre. The park has been designed to bring jobs and prosperity to Bradford. It will attract visitors and investors and raise land and property values. The project will connect the city centre, enhance the overall image of the city and help create the landscape for investment in the city centre.

“Today’s announcement marks a key stage in Bradford’s regeneration and demonstrates the public sector commitment to investing in the city’s future.”

The creation of the City Park is seen as a catalyst which will boost the economy, support jobs and encourage further investment and development in the city centre. The park will transform Bradford city centre and bring wider economic, social and environmental benefits for the District.

The £24.4m scheme is jointly funded by Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Regional Transport Board.

Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward comments: “As part of our continued commitment to the regeneration of Bradford, which remains one of our region’s key economic assets, I am pleased to say that Yorkshire Forward’s Board has confirmed its approval for up to £7million capital investment towards the physical infrastructure necessary to support delivery of the City Park and associated development.  This investment is part of our commitment to the economic regeneration of the city and is in addition to the £2.3m we have invested in related schemes in the City.”
“These infrastructure works are part of our ongoing investment in the city centre and our ongoing partnership with Bradford Centre Regeneration, Bradford Council and the Homes and Communities Agency to bring the Masterplan to fruition.”

The scheme goes out to tender for construction in July and will start on site in Autumn 2009.

Ends

A City Park Flythrough film is available to view on www.bradford.gov.uk/citypark

The Stats:
• City Park Size - 24,690 sq m, equivalent to four football pitches and approximately the same size as St Mark’s Square in Venice
• Over 100 fountains feature in the mirror pool, with the largest shooting up 30m –  equal to seven double-decker buses stacked on top of each other
• Over 10,000 people can attend a major event in the City Park
• A 230m borehole has been drilled next to the former police station for the mirror pool, tapping into the same natural and sustainable water source the textile mills used to use, drilling through 360 million year old rock