This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Edinburgh vision takes shape
29/09/2003
Finance and Public Services Minister Andy Kerr visitedEdinburghtoday to see some of the projects aimed at transforming the city under the Cities Growth Fund.
Edinburghwas awarded £24.2 million from the fund aimed at improving the quality of life for the people who live inScotland's six cities.
Mr Kerr met with the Council today to discuss how the Fund would be taken forward before visiting two of the projects which have benefited.
The Minister saw first-hand the start of refurbishment work on the Usher Hall. He also toured the city centre to see some of the areas which will benefit from the public realm funding, which aims to makeGeorge Street,Castle StreetandSt Andrew's Squaremore attractive.
The Minister has now visited all six of our cities to see their visions take shape. Mr Kerr said:
"I am delighted to see thatEdinburghis already starting to turn its City Vision into a reality.
"Edinburghis a world-class city with a great history and a great future. I believe this can be built on with its ambitious proposals, which cover a wide range of priority areas which will make the city a more successful and attractive place to live and work.
"Improvements to the city centre public realm, affordable housing, bus information and service improvements, theHermistonParkand Ride and support for the MTV Europe Awards are just some of the projects benefiting from £24.2 million of additional Executive funding.
"Importantly, they will make a real difference to the quality of life in our cities. I believe these visions will be achieved inEdinburghand the Executive will help to put them in place.
"I have now visited all six of our cities to see first-hand how their visions are taking shape. I have no doubt these projects will make a significant contribution towards helpingScotland's cities become six of the best inEurope."
The Cities Review was announced in December 2000. The review concludedwith a report in January 2003. At the same time, the Executive launched the Action Plan Building Better Cities, which commissioned city councils to draw up city visions and proposals for spending a £90 million City Growth Fund.
Edinburghhas received £24.2 million. The projects are:
Bus information and service improvements - £3.8 million
HermistonParkand Ride - £1 million
Usher Hall - £2 million
Winter Festival - £1.1 million
EdinburghInternational Festival - £400,000
Theatres Transformation Fund - £1.2 million
MTVEuropeAwards - £100,000
Parks and gardens - £300,000
Affordable housing - £3 million
City centre public realm - £8.7 million
Joined-up for Jobs - £500,000
Urban Design support - £300,000
City region branding/promotion - £1 million
Support for city region working - £800,000
Total - £24.2 million