Council opens new multi-storey car park, marking major milestone for hub North Scotland projects

The first in a series of new community facilities built using an innovative hub partnership approach has been officially opened by Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam this morning. The car park was officially opened by the Lord Provost and HUB, North Scotland chief executive Angus McFarlane.

The Lord Provost cut the ribbon at the £2.3million Aberdeen City Council-owned Frederick Street car park, which will provide more than 150 new parking spaces in the east of the city centre.
It is the first multi-storey car park opened by the council in almost 20 years.

The new car park is adjacent to the innovative NHS Grampian Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village, which is under construction.

The new car park replaces the Timmer Market and East North Street open air car parks, providing more spaces in a safer, covered facility with full CCTV coverage.

The car park and health village projects are the first in the north of Scotland to be created using the hub partnership approach. Five regional companies bring together local authorities, the NHS and private sector partners to work on the planning and procurement of schools, health centres and other facilities.

Lord Provost George Adam said: "This is an important day for the hub projects and for the city. The opening of the Frederick Street car park delivers improved parking provision in the city centre, and will be particularly beneficial for businesses in the east of the city centre, including the Aberdeen Arts Centre and the Lemon Tree. It fulfils the council's promises about improving car parking for the Castlegate area, and is another step towards the regeneration of the city centre.

"Opening the car park in time for the last shopping weekend before Christmas and the post-Christmas sales period, which can be just as busy, is an additional bonus and will I'm sure, be warmly welcomed by those venturing into the city centre.

"The hub projects are a fantastic example of partnership working and I look forward to see the others progressing. The Health Village will bring great benefits to thousands of people in the city and will provide much easier access to a wide range of health services, with a high quality and safe car park right on the doorstep.

hub North Scotland chief executive Angus McFarlane said: "We are delighted to welcome Lord Provost George Adam to officially open the new Frederick Street car park. I am confident the new car park will bring many benefits to those living and working in Aberdeen, and will also provide vital car parking provision for patients visiting the new Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village.

"Works are progressing well on the Health Village, which upon completion will provide improved health care for the people of Aberdeen and across Grampian."

Aberdeen Health and Care Village project director Jackie Bremner said: "We are very pleased to see this very important, first piece of the jigsaw in place, working in collaboration with our City Council and hubco partners. This new car park will enhance access to public car parking for this area of the city and provide important access to parking for patients visiting the adjacent Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village when it comes into use in December 2013."

Charlie Dunn, Regional Managing Director – Scotland, Miller Construction, said: "The opening of Frederick Street car park marks a significant milestone in the delivery of hub North Scotland projects. The car park is the first hub North Scotland project to be delivered and we are currently on site with the second project at Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village.

"hub North offers valuable opportunities for the future, bringing benefits to the local communities that it serves."

The Community Health and Care Village is designed to provide a wide-range of out-patient diagnostic and treatment services, helping to improve that range of services provided in a community setting in Aberdeen. These will include minor surgery, radiology, dentistry, sexual health services, podiatry, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics.

There will also be an advice and information centre for carers, a healthpoint information service, and learning space for patients carers and staff. Additionally there will be accommodation for services provided in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Grampian Police. The 6,000 square metre facility will occupy three levels and is due to open at the end of next year.

The Frederick Street car park was delivered by hub North Scotland as part of the Scottish Futures Trust hub delivery process. It was designed by Goldbeck and built by main contractor Miller Construction, under the Scottish Futures Trust hub delivery process.