please log in to view this image New street-level fountains are to be installed in Queen Victoria Square. Work has started on the first phase of a £25m transformation of Hull's city centre. Ground surveys and excavations are being carried out before construction work starts on the project. Under the plans, new lighting, public art, paving and street furniture will be installed in the areas between the station and the Fruit Market. Hull City Council said it expected the revamp to be completed in time for its role as City of Culture in 2017. The first phase, which is costing £12.7m, would "maximise our city's unique character and heritage", the authority said. It hopes to increase retail turnover by £70m and see 500 new jobs over the next 10 years. Councillor Martin Mancey said: "This is the very first sign of work beginning on the ground. "We have a huge amount of work to do to get the city ready for 2017 and I would ask businesses and residents for their patience whilst the work is under way. "We will do everything possible to minimise disruption." Building work on the transformation is expected to start in September. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-32319039
There's a continual supply of fresh water? I thought the water got shot out, went up, came down and went back in to a reservoir? Genuine question btw, I really don't know how they work, its just how I imagined it.
I think it's an artists impression dragged up from a while back when it was first proposed. I think at the time, moving it there was part of the plan. First time I saw it, at first glance I thought it was an outdoor ice rink until I read the accompanying blurb.
I think you're right. It'll certainly have a reservoir for environmental reasons, and to get better control for the pump pressure.
I'm sure they have a reservoir, but they'll have a water supply as well, otherwise in summer they'd be filling them up every five minutes.
If it's like the others, the reservoir will be filled mainly the recirculated water after it's filtered, a bit like the Queen's Garden Ponds. Mains water would just be to top up, otherwise it'd be a negative for the Green City aim.
Hoping to generate retail jobs - zero hours contracts fodder - is no way to build the future of a city. And of course it is absolutely vital that the essential services the council are already failing to deliver are not impacted in any way by the city of culture status. Of course it has already cost money, so the council needs to ensure this money is recouped by the private sector or those that stand to benefit from the city of culture status. I know I am in a minority on this - city of culture itself can't be bad can it(!?) whats not to like about new fountains? As long as it doesn't cost in a city already suffering crippling 40% budget cuts - but the opportunity cost of not fixing what is really up with the city will be felt for the generations the city has left.
Retailers will get a little bump, arts practitioners, BBC and council people who have invested their careers into it, anyone getting paid to work on it.
The other City's that have had the UK City of Culture status, all seemed to suggest they benefitted fro it as City. I can't recall others, but Derry stands out as one where most people were reporting benefits from the improvement in the perceived image of their City, and several other knock ons. I can't recall them claiming any negatives. One or more articles were general questions to ordinary people, and they all seemed very positive.
They might now if there's enough work for them. Hull has not really had a problem getting visitors to come back. The University has one of, if not the highest retention rate for students staying in the area once they've finished their studies. The problem's been getting them here in the first place. The City or Culture will help with that.
I'm trying not to be cynical about it. It may create a feel good effect. But bar owners will be rubbing their hands, most events will be City Centre, Prinny Ave and round Humber St. Cant see any luvvies performing at Branny Centre or Preston Rd Freedom Centre Surely Humberside Airport should be getting its act together and offering new routes for the hoped for increase then?
Estimated cost £15m, estimated additional income £60m, based on the experience of Derry. It's estimated that 1m extra people will visit the city through the year, so in theory anyone with a business in Hull could benefit and from the increased exposure the city could benefit for years to come. That's in addition to the fact that there's obviously loads of stuff for us locals to go and see, it's brilliant for the city and I can't believe anyone would think it's not a good thing.
I think we need real investment in people. Let the council etc do the basics - health housing education, in Hull poverty has to be added to the list - and culture takes care of itself. Spending money on airy fairy city of culture nonsense while ignoring the growing crisis of poverty etc is ludicrous. Not focusing on the basics is never going to work over the long term, in my very humble opinion. It is dare to dream territory. I have said this before but will say it here. Take the top 500 tennis players in the world. Players ranked 101 to 500 might have an 'A' game that rank with a top 32 player, but they almost never hit that 'A' game. They mainly play their 'B' game, and regularly hit their 'C' game. Sometimes you need to work on your 'A' game, sometimes your 'B' game, and sometimes 'C' game. Hull's 'C' game is poverty, lack of educational attainment, and aspiration. We are at our 'C' game most of the time. While we ignore the necessary, really difficult, non-headline grabbing improvements of our 'C' game, our 'A' game will only go so far. City of Culture is 'A' game but improving our 'C' game is what will give us a real foundation - a platform - for the future. STill new fountains are good!
