COMMUNITY PROJECTS RECEIVE FUNDING TO BRIGHTEN UP DEVELOPMENT SITE
Seven community groups in Edinburgh are being allocated funding to enhance the New Waverley development in the Old Town while it is still under construction. Projects ranging from making Jacob’s Ladder steps more useable, lighting up the Arches during the winter festive period, art installations and a graveyard planting scheme will transform the area.
The New Waverley Development Fund (NWCF) is a joint project between the City of Edinburgh Council and Artisan Real Estate Investors, the developers of New Waverley,which is one of the Edinburgh 12 sites. The total fund available was £200,000 including £100,000 being held by the Council from a previous developer.
Community groups were asked to make bids for not-for-profit organisations for up to £25,000. In the first round of funding over £80,000 was allocated to six projects and the seven projects which were successful in the final funding round were allocated over £100,000. Together, the seven successful projects leveraged up to £50,000 of third party funding.
Cllr Gavin Barrie, Convener of the Economy Committee, said: “The New Waverley development is now partially built and the area is already benefitting from an increased number of residents and visitors using the new shops and hotel. The Arches is also proving to be a great success as it has attracted a wide range of independent and quirky outlets.
“The New Waverley development is greatly benefitting Edinburgh’s economy, creating thousands of new jobs including apprenticeships. The funding being allocated will allow these projects to improve the area even more and add to the buzz already being created in and around the development site.”
Clive Wilding, Project Director for New Waverley, added: “The scope and range of these fantastic projects reflect the significant investment we are currently putting into New Waverley – both with the community fund and with the overall quality of the development. New Waverley has gone from strength to strength in 2016, with new hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants all now open – and we are especially delighted with the way The Arches is now literally lighting up the area. The imminent opening of the Adagio Aparthotel and the new public square will add to this growing excitement as we approach Christmas.”
The projects are:
Edinburgh World Heritage – Jacob’s Ladder enhancements
To undertake enhancement work to Jacob’s Ladder, making the path useable outside daylight hours for the first time, safer and more pleasant to use at all times. The project aims to enhance connectivity and increase footfall between the New Waverley development site and the surrounding area, providing a direct route to Calton Hill and the New Town.
OPEN CLOSE Edinburgh – select Royal Mile Closes transformation project
To transform a select series of Edinburgh Royal Mile Closes into culturally rich routes during the summer 2017 festival period, using sound, light, and visual art. The project seeks to promote better circulation of pedestrians through the fabric of the Old Town, helping to make these spaces feel cleaner, more interesting, safer, and vibrant. The projects will also include an online survey to gather data and compile research on people’s emotional experiences of the spaces before, during and after the exhibition. To be kept up to date with news on this project please visit www.open-close.co.uk.
The Friends of New Calton Burial Ground – Breathing new life into New Calton Burial Ground project
To undertake a graveyard planting scheme, a repointing project, a sign at the Calton Road entrance, and other public engagement activities to enhance the current appearance of the New Calton Burial Ground. The New Calton Burial Ground is a nationally important heritage site, and local community asset.
Art On Scotland – Arches Public Art Installation
To create a public art installation made in close collaboration with local community participants, incorporating 3D sculpture and 2D painted murals, to transform the Arches site into a striking attraction, which will pose as the perfect setting for the continued development of the New Waverley site.
The Arches Collective – winter & festive lights project
To lighten up the 10 Arches during the winter/ festive period using festoon lights. The winter months will be dark, and the purpose for this project is to draw more footfall and make this area of the city more attractive.
Edinburgh Art Festival – New Waverley Commission 2017 project
Building on its established track record for commissioning ambitious work for beyond the gallery, in 2017 Edinburgh Art Festival will commission a new piece of work that will respond directly to the environment of the New Waverley Development and its surroundings. 2017 is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Edinburgh as a festival city as well as the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, and the EAF commissions programme will engage with both these contexts.
Chessels Court Area Association (CCAA) – Pirrie’s Close improvement project
To enhance the appearance of Pirrie’s Close through creation of a community-themed mural decoration. The mural design will be developed in consultation with local residents. The purpose for this project is to discourage anti-social behaviour, specifically graffitti regularly being sprayed in Pirrie’s Close and on the walls of the pend between Pancho Villa’s restaurant and the Canons’ Gait pub, to enhance the appearance of the area.
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