Aberdonians share their views on the chosen design for the City Garden Project.
The winning design chosen by the judges of the City Garden Project has not received as much support on the streets of Aberdeen.
STV Local headed to Union Terrace Gardens to speak to city residents about Granite Web – the design which pipped Winter Garden to win the international design competition.
And while the design may have the benefit of being the cheaper of the two finalists, it was Winter Garden which proved the most popular amongst the 15,000 people who attended a public exhibition last year.
A referendum is being held next month to find out if Aberdonians are in favour of retaining Union Terrace Gardens or if they would prefer to give the City Garden Project – which is being supported by local businessman Sir Ian Wood – the thumbs up.
Ian Cukrowski, director of MacBeans on Little Belmont Street, felt the judges had made the wrong decision.
The 54-year-old said: “I thought the Winter Garden kept the best parts of the current Union Terrace Gardens and developed the parts of the area which are an eyesore at present. Instead they have gone for the cheapest option and I really fear this is a lost opportunity for Aberdeen.
“I feel a real sense of anger at the decision. I would have voted for the Winter Garden in the referendum but I think I will vote to retain the existing gardens now.”
Carl Forbes, 79, said Union Terrace Gardens definitely needs improvement but was unsure whether Granite Web was the right way forward.
He said: “I don’t think we need to spend quite so much money on it. I have seen the new design and I’m completely undecided. I’m in my 70s so I’m not sure how much I would benefit from it but it could be a good thing for the future generations.”
American Leslie Drury said she is not registered to vote in next month’s referendum but would vote to retain the gardens if given the chance.
She said: “I don’t want to see the green area in the city centre replaced.”
However 20-year-olds Agnes Bruce and Rosanna Breck said they thought the plans could be a boost to the area.
Agnes said: “A lot of people would be sad to see the park go but it is not very well used at the moment – a new design may change that.”
Rosanna added: “I didn’t grow up in Aberdeen so I maybe don’t feel as attached to it as others. I was always told the park can be a bit dodgy so the new design may be an improvement.”
But artist Miriam Gordon said she would be voting against the City Garden Project. She explained: “I think it would make the park completely uninteresting. We need green space in the city centre and this would spoil that. I know what way I will be voting in the referendum.”
The STV Aberdeen City Facebook page was also inundated with comments following yesterday’s announcement – the majority of which were critical of the decision.
John Lind said: “Worst one they would have possibly chosen” while Yvonne Stewart asked: “Surely the money would be better spent trying to restore Union Street to what it once was instead of fixing something that isn’t broken?”
A Facebook page has also been created called ‘Vote Teletubbie Skatepark’, paying reference to the idea that the design resembles the set of the children’s television programme.
The feedback for Granite Web wasn’t particularly favourable on Twitter either.
Michael Hodgson said he thought the design “would look dated very quickly”, while Sarah Richardson said it was “very ugly and so last century.”
Julie Drummond added: “That was the one design I did not like for the gardens! I totally support the project now though.”
Gallery: Click here to read more opinions on the Granite Web design.
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