Projects that could make 2018 a year to remember for Swansea
THE Chinese community in Swansea is preparing for the Year of the Dog, but will 2018 be the year of the crane across the city?
No long-legged wading birds are expected, but construction spotters will hope to see heavy lifting machines at some of Swansea’s key development sites over the next 12 months.
After months – and in some cases years – of background work, along with expertly-presented images and videos, the regeneration of Wales second city feels ever closer.
But multi-million-pound developments do not come without risk, and Swansea Council is in several instances taking the lead role in a bid to secure delivery.
Here is how Swansea could start to be transformed in 2018...
INDOOR ARENA
Work will start on the 3,500-seater arena at what is currently the LC car park in 2018, council leader Rob Stewart says.
This is the keystone project of the Swansea Central scheme, which will also introduce a new multi-storey car park and hotel.
These buildings will be linked to new shops, restaurants, apartments, public spaces, another multi-storey car park and potentially a boutique cinema on the other side of Oystermouth Road by a wide pedestrian bridge.
The arena, which is scheduled to open in 2020 and already has an operator appointed to run it, will come first.
THE KINGSWAY AND ORCHARD STREET
Work to remodel these two city-centre routes and create a more attractive environment will continue throughout 2018 and end early the following year.
There will be a public space with trees at the end of The Kingsway where the Christmas tree currently sits, and a wide pavement, trees and areas of grass along the road itself.
Orchard Street will receive a similar treatment and two-way traffic will be restored to both roads, along with Mansel Street, De-La Beche Street, Grove Place, Alexandra Road, and Belle Vue Way.
The former Oceana nightclub site off The Kingsway is to be turned into a new office area which will also link to Oxford Street.
Mr Stewart said a business case for this new office district has been submitted to the UK Government and Welsh Government as part of the £1.3bn City Deal, and that a planning application was expected around the middle of 2018. This does not mean boots will be on the ground, though.
CASTLE SQUARE
A private sector contractor will be appointed in 2018 to transform the city-centre square, says Mr Stewart, although the council will retain control both of the site and the design of the scheme.
The preferred options are a large, split-level unit where the amphitheatre steps currently are, or smaller commercial units adjacent to Temple Street.
Watch this space. Mr Stewart said he could see “very little to stop” this privately-funded student accommodation scheme at Mariner Street car park getting