City sees the V&A effect

Council leader John Alexander talks about how the waterfront development is leading Dundee’s renaissance

We are looking at different deals so that people in Dundee will benefit for generations to come JOHN ALEXANDER

Q How would you sum up your feelings towards the waterfront project, with the V&A design museum opening coming later this year and several other developments now under way?

A I am so excited to see where Dundee is at now, but also trying to imagine what Dundee’s going to look like in 10 years. It’s striking to see the before and after images and remembering the hideous monstrosity that our waterfront was. What we’ve got now is something that enhances the image of the city externally and gives people a bit of pride.

Q What do you think will be the impact on the city of the V&A opening in September?

A We have already seen the benefits of the V&A. There are far more businesses, restaurants, bars and unique offerings coming to Dundee. At the back of the Caird Hall, St Andrews Brewing Company is investing £1 million. That wouldn’t have happened five or 10 years ago if it had not been for the V&A. development. People are starting to see what the V&A. is bringing in, before it’s even opened.

Q Do you think there’s the right mix of business and leisure projects at the waterfront?

A In terms of the developments moving forward at the moment, we have a good balance. That opinion’s not based on a guesstimate, it’s derived from expert views and research and also from what the private sector are telling us to develop. We don’t want any site to be dependent on one development — we are looking for a diverse offering that’s complimentary. If, down the line, it emerges that we have enough hotels or enough office capacity then we wouldn’t move forward with another development of that kind at that time.

Q Is there plenty of interest in the sites that are still to be developed?

A Now that developments are moving forward, investor interest is ramping up as they don’t want to miss out. Dundee’s waterfront is being marketed internationally. Over the past six months, I have personally hosted dinners from investors from South Korea and China. There has been interest from America. We are 20 years into a 30 year plan, so there’s plenty development to come over the next decade.

Q Were you surprised at the public opposition to the plans to develop the site opposite the V&A.

A That’s always been part of the plans. To me that shows that people have bought into what we are trying to do — they see it as theirs and want to protect it. In an ideal world perhaps you would leave everything green space, but in reality we need to make sure we are creating the opportunities that people want. There are open spaces and attractive areas like Slessor Gardens and Waterfront Place beside the V&A. We are looking to create public space people can enjoy while also bringing in revenue to help the whole city. Once everything is developed I think people will understand not only what we have tried to do but they will see the benefits and enjoy it.

Q How will the waterfront project benefit the whole of Dundee?

A If this was a private sector project, they’d be looking to offload the sites as quickly as possible and make a quick buck. We are taking a long-term view and we want to do it right. We own the sites and are looking at different deals — sharing ownership, profit sharing — so that people in Dundee will benefit for generations to come. The revenue coming in to the council will fund things like schools and potholes for the whole city. We’ve already derived a direct benefit from the waterfront development and that’s only going to increase exponentially as more projects come on stream. At the moment the main jobs have been in construction, but once businesses open they will create many more new jobs for the city.