Music, food and activities are to take place at Leeds Corn Exchange to celebrate the transformation works surrounding the iconic building.
The celebration planned by Leeds City Council will take place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, May 14.
It comes following the completion of the area around the Corn Exchange which was transformed by both a public realm scheme and a major package of Connecting Leeds highways improvements.
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The work which started in May last year saw has seen trees planted to line the streets, safer routes through for cyclists and crossing points to assist pedestrians.
A plaza style area and a bus, cycle and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure have also been added.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “The Corn Exchange is one of the jewels in Leeds’s crown and we are so pleased that it now has the high-quality setting that it deserves.
“The creation of the public space and the improvements to local roads will give the area an exciting new lease of life while at the same time encouraging active travel. People-focused infrastructure projects like these will also make our city more investable and help unlock its full commercial potential.
“We are very grateful for the support and patience shown by residents and businesses, including the city’s bus operators, while the work has taken shape. Saturday’s celebration event will be a great way to showcase the changes that have been made. It promises to be a real day to remember.”
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The transformation of the Corn Exchange area also complements and connects with regeneration efforts in nearby Kirkgate where restoration works of the First White Cloth Hall building have recently been completed and reuse of other properties as part of the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Meanwhile, other work at Meadow Lane has seen the narrowing of the highway, the removal of the old Hunslet Lane surface car park and the creation of new green space as part of the flagship Aire Park project. Pedestrianised spaces have also been created on Cookridge Street and Greek Street.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Improving cycling, walking and public transport forms a key part of my pledge to tackle the climate emergency. I'm delighted that the Combined Authority is able to play its part, not only in this scheme but others around our town and city centres, to create more green spaces and space for active travel.
“The Corn Exchange is a landmark building in Leeds, so it’s fantastic to see these changes, which will make the area more welcoming to people visiting, working or living in Leeds.”
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