Birmingham Business District set for £1.2m improvement scheme
A section of road in the heart of Birmingham’s Business District could be pedestrianised as part of a £1.2m improvement scheme.
Images released today show how Cornwall Street could look if the proposals by the Colmore Business Improvement District (BID) go ahead.
The BID is leading a public realm project to transform the section of street between New Market Street and Newhall Street to make it more pedestrian friendly with new lighting and seating.
The street would boast widened pavements to create an open outdoor environment – blending with the semi-pedestrianised Church Street running back up towards Colmore Row.
The project is being supported with a grant from Herbert House Investments, the development vehicle owned by Pimlico Capital, owners of Herbert House, in Cornwall Street, which is currently being converted to create ‘The Lightwell’ apartments.
The digital images (below) show Herbert House and the 71 Cornwall Street building on the corner of Cornwall Street and New Market Street, which is also being refurbished into prime leisure opportunities.
The pedestrianisation proposal has been boosted following endorsement from the Public Realm Board, which comprises representatives from Birmingham City Council, Transport for West Midlands and Colmore BID.
The plans form part of the BID’s Outstanding Places objective, which cares for and promotes the physical aspects of the Business District.
Gary Cardin, chair of Colmore BID, said: “We have chosen to focus on Cornwall Street as we want to see an uplift in that area and this is being matched by new investment in the buildings on the street.
“We are committed to investing in our open spaces and helping to create a more walkable, sustainable and high-quality city centre.”
Cornwall Street is at the heart of the Business District and home to restaurants Zen Metro, Purnell’s and Opus and businesses such as Arcadis.
Bruntwood recently completed its Cornerblock development on the corner of Cornwall Street and Livery Street, bringing 110,000 sq ft of much-needed Grade A workspace to the area.
Key stakeholders and businesses will be consulted early in the project to gather feedback on proposed traffic calming measures, parking and delivery access, the final design and the construction process.
Work would be carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible to the needs of business and visitors to the District.
Cornwall Street (Credit Broadway Malyan Architects)
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