New video footage from Swansea Council has revealed how the former St David’s Shopping Centre site in the city will look once a temporary improvement scheme there is finished.
The temporary scheme planned for the site - between the historic St Mary’s Church and the new Swansea Arena and Copr Bay - includes local pop-up traders, a pop-up park and green spaces for public use and events.
The latest fly-through video, put together by Swansea firm iCreate, shows the new church hall currently being constructed for users of St David’s Church. Other fly-through features include new lighting columns that will point the way to Swansea Arena.
Work is expected to start on the temporary scheme, which was developed by Swansea Council, in the coming months, which will better link the city centre with the emerging £135m Copr Bay phase one district.
The council appointed Urban Splash as its development partner for a major redevelopment of the site in the coming years.
As well as a public sector hub for thousands of workers, longer-term plans for the site could include new offices and apartments as part of a mixed-use development.
Council Leader Rob Stewart said: “We’ve appointed Urban Splash to lead on an exciting redevelopment of this site, but we also want a vibrant and attractive temporary solution in the meantime.
“Our new video shows our plans to introduce lots more greenery on the site in the shorter-term, along with opportunities for local pop-up food and drink traders and plenty of space for public use and events.
He added: “Once complete, this temporary solution will create a far better link between the city centre and our Copr Bay phase one district that includes Swansea Arena.”
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “The temporary scheme at the former St David’s shopping centre site will complement all the work we’re already carrying out to create more green spaces in the city centre for the benefit of our residents, businesses and visitors.
“This includes the council-led transformation of The Kingsway and the 1.1-acre coastal park being constructed next to Swansea Arena.”
He added: “In the longer-term, while also including lots of greenery and public spaces, the plans for the site as part of our Shaping Swansea initiative will secure and create thousands of jobs, helping further boost city centre footfall and spending.”
The council is leading a £1bn regeneration of the city centre which aims to secure and create jobs.
On-going or planned regeneration schemes in Swansea include the construction of a major new office development at the former Oceana nightclub site on The Kingsway, as well as proposals to introduce far more greenery at Castle Square Gardens.
A multi-million pound investment in Wind Street to create a more family-friendly environment is also now close to completion.
