Work on Waterfront development hit by delays – council

THREE major parts of the £1 billion redevelopment o f D u n d e e ’s c e n t r a l Waterfront have been hit by delays.

A capital expenditure report to go before Dundee City Council’s policy and resources committee next week will state that work on the interactive digital playpark at Slessor Gardens and t he new luxury hotel at Site Six has been delayed.

Changes to the design of both the park and hotel are responsible for the delays.

Plans to introduce free Wi-Fi on the Waterfront have also been pushed back.

The playpark, which will feature an interactive whale in a nod to Dundee’s maritime past, will sit in the south-east corner of Slessor Gardens.

It is intended children will be able to walk through the “insides” and interact with projections of other marine life.

Construction on the park was due to star t this financial year but has been pushed back into the next.

The report states that Dundee City Council’s projected capital expenditure for 2018/19 has dropped by £805,000 as a result, although it will now need to be added on to next year’s budget.

It states: “The Waterfront playpark had originally been programmed to start in 2018/19, however the scheme has been delayed due to ongoing design development.

“As such, the projected expenditure has been re-phased to take account of the revised programme.

“The timescales for completion of the playpark are still within the completion of the whole central Waterfront project.”

The 30-year development of Dundee Waterfront began in 2001.

Work to build the hotel at Site Six, to be operated by Marriott under its AC brand, has also been delayed due to changes in its brief and design.

Offices and apartments are already being built on Site Six, although these have been criticised for overshadowing the £80 million V&A.

It is now anticipated work will begin towards the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the £1m plan to introduce free Wi-Fi on the Waterfront and in the city centre has also been postponed in order to ensure the 5G service is future-proof.