CHAMBER of Commerce chief executive Mike Hennessy has welcomed Douglas Council’s plans to invest £12.7m to redevelop Cambrian Place, in Lord Street, Douglas.
Plans are expected to be submitted this month to transform the site into a 460-space multi-storey car park, also providing a new home for the Henry Bloom Noble Library, offices for the council’s ICT operation and public toilets.
Mr Hennessy said: ‘This announcement has arrived at a time when activity in the construction industry is at a premium.
‘The area around the ferry terminal end of Lord Street – often a visitor’s first impression of our capital – has looked downtrodden for as long as I have been on the island – 11 years – and this is undoubtedly positive progress.’
Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/traffic-and-transport/multi_storey_car_park_plan_for_douglas_town_centre_1_4192942|Multi-storey car park plan for Douglas town centre}.
The Chamber of Commerce opposed the Manx Government’s decision in 2009 to grant a 999-year lease to developers Asket Hawk for a hotel.
Mr Hennessy said: ‘Chamber opposed the decision made in 2009 regards the bus station site on the grounds that we feared “nothing would happen any time soon”, but that is water under the bridge now and we hope that this latest news may prompt developments there too.
‘This aspiration, aligned with the emerging plans of both the brewery and the Sefton Group in the immediate vicinity, would represent significant “regeneration” work in itself, fully complementing the proposed refurbishments in and around Strand Street.’
He added: ‘This is good news on several levels and should also positively impact on our retail offering as a result of increased town centre parking availability.’
Announcing the plans, Douglas Council leader David Christian said the scheme would create a ‘landmark development’, which would prove to be a ‘valuable asset to the council and the town’.
He said there was an urgent need for more car parking in the town and that being able to own the library site – instead of leasing the current premises in Victoria Street – will lead to savings.
The development will be tendered by Cumbria-based developer Time & Tide.