| More than 800 jobs could be relocated to kickstart regeneration in the east end of Glasgow.
Job creators and council chiefs are set to spearhead an ambitious drive to bring economic prosperity to one of the city's most deprived areas.
And an old rail yard in Duke Street is likely to be the site of a joint HQ where more than 800 workers could be relocated from the city centre, to work and execute the regeneration masterplan.
Glasgow City Council chiefs and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow have been locked in talks about how best to advance the redevelopment of the East End.
The Glasgow Fort – a shopping park with dozens of stores – is a prime example of what can be achieved.
The retail complex in Easterhouse resulted from a decision to sell council land to a private developer to specifically create local jobs.
Switching agency and council staff to the East End would generate a multimillion pound property sale with the council looking for buyers for a number of properties at a time when office space is at a premium.
Cash generated would help fund plans to breathe new life into the yard. It would be redeveloped and renamed College Lands.
Phase one could include a 200-bed hotel, three office blocks – including the HQ – and 1000 car parking spaces.
And decision makers would want to have notched up several successes before the city plays host to the Commonwealth Games in seven years time.
The regeneration masterplan also includes a national indoor sports arena, the Games village and housing in the Gallowgate.
Council leader Steven Purcell has long advocated a "one stop" approach to regeneration and believes considerable time is wasted travelling to meetings at different locations.
That time could be better used if a joint HQ was set-up, especially since the council is to take on extra duties as a result of the decision to streamline the Scottish Enterprise network. |
