The latest phase of the regeneration of Lochee will take shape over the coming months.
Work will include the second phase of demolition of the former Highgate Centre and the recreation of a number of historical streets and paths to create a new streetscape and development opportunities.
Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “A lot has already been done in the past year with the replacement of unpopular housing and the first stage of demolishing the Highgate, as well as other physical changes to the High Street and surrounding areas.
“When Highgate is completely razed it will clear the way for the route of the new Bank Street to connect the bypass to the High Street and link the heart of the commercial area with opportunities for improved transport connections.”
A framework for the regeneration of Lochee was approved in 2008, which claims the negative perceptions of the area have come from poor quality housing, the high number of vacant retail units and a lack of modern retail opportunities, as well as accessibility issues and transport connections.
Aimer Square/Balgay Street will be connected to Lochee High Street in the next few weeks with the new St Ann Lane opposite the library.
It is hoped this will open up the potential of surrounding redevelopment sites for residential and commercial uses.
The next stages of the project will bring about the creation of a new car park and events space, including a small area of green space on the High Street.
The first phase of the Highgate was cleared away last December and the underpass has been closed to be replaced with a pedestrian crossing.
Farmfoods, one of the “anchor shops” in the area, has opened a new shop on the prominent Flights Lane, a street name that recalls a historic thoroughfare from old Lochee.
A new building next to Farmfoods is also being marketed by Dundee City Council for a range of uses appropriate for the district centre, and the council is developing improvement projects for the surrounding areas to keep up the regeneration momentum.
Mr Dawson said: “The masterplan that is fast emerging was endorsed by community groups last year.
“We have been working closely with community representatives, traders and other interested groups throughout the redevelopment process, and while it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time, in general terms the masterplan has been welcomed as a positive step towards regenerating this lively and historic part of the city.”
Last month Dundee Pensioners Forum were “delighted” when the council took their comments on board and agreed to lower a pavement in the area.
The group took part in a national campaign to improve the accessibility of our streets for people with limited mobility and sent a wishlist of changes to the local authority of things they felt would make life easier.
The list included cars and taxis stopping at the designated crossing areas of the street preventing safe crossings and a “significant camber” on the pavement north of a pub that would disadvantage wheelchair users.
The council responded saying it would install a dropped footway area to the High St/Nicholas Lane as part of the ongoing regeneration works in Lochee.