PLANS to turn Southampton's Guildhall Square into the heart of a new cultural quarter are being unveiled today.
Civic chiefs hope the transformation would trigger a cultural renaissance that would put Southampton on the map with a dedicated arts district like European cities such as Paris and Barcelona. It would be expected to attract visitors from across the south coast.
Designers want the remodelled square to become an exciting public space linking the Guildhall to a proposed new £13m arts centre and flagship £50m apartment towers.
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has earmarked up to £6.35m for the project, including £4.6m for Guildhall Square.
Senior development executive Jane Pearson said: "Major investment in the revitalisation of Southampton's principal civic space, Guildhall Square, will act as a major catalyst for the renaissance of Northern Above Bar as the city's flagship arts and cultural quarter, firmly establishing Southampton as a regional cultural centre."
Councillor Royston Smith, Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, added: "This is an area that has perhaps been under-utilised in the past and now we have a chance to turn it into a centre of excellence for culture and the arts.
"If and when the overall development is complete it will no doubt be a significant attraction for people from across Southampton and the south."
Work on the square could begin by November next year with completion in autumn 2009.
The area encompasses the Guildhall, City Art Gallery, Central Library, The Mayflower theatre and Southampton Solent University.
Work would include the pedestrianisation of West Marlands Road and narrowing and restricting Above Bar Street to buses and taxis to allow the square to extend from the steps of the Guildhall to the former Tyrrell and Green building. The road would cross the square on a flush surface.
Separate plans were submitted this month to demolish the derelict department store to make way for an arts centre, and 282 flats in two 15-storey apartment towers.
The square would also be repaved with natural stone while new high-quality concrete paving would be laid in Above Bar Street and West Marlands Road.
New large stone public seating and sculptural box trees would also be included.
The plans will be on show in the Guildhall foyer today and tomorrow. Experts will be on hand.
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