Specialist designers are being invited to bid for work as part of the Aberdeen City Centre 'Masterplan' (CCMP).

The council is calling on various architects to draw up plans for enhancing Union Terrace Gardens (UTG), while proposals have also been approved to explore options on improving the public realm space in Golden Square and outside Robert Gordon's College.

The project is part of a £2 million improvements package for the wider city centre.

Previous ideas for UTG drawn up by CCMP consultants included:

• Sculptural focus viewed from Union Street to reflect light

• Create retail units and arts studios within the historic arches

• Retain floral crest and refurbish stepped link

• Amphitheatre with Aberdeen constellation lighting feature

• Pedestrian bridge link that connects Belmont Street with viewing towers and stairs / lifts down to garden level and visible from Union Street

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• Curving route (from the proposed bridge) hugs the slope and links Union Terrace to the amphitheatre without steps

• Link building to service events / furniture storage. Potential for lift link connecting street level to gardens

• Reveal hidden watercourse – opens up Denburn to improve biodiversity

• Refurbish existing Victorian toilets. Potential for lift link connecting street level to gardens.

Council Leader Jenny Laing said: "This design commission will deliver a transformational regeneration scheme for Union Terrace Gardens.

"This not simply about historic restoration of a much-loved Victorian park but the delivery of a contemporary, attractive and active environment for residents, workers and visitors to Aberdeen city centre.

"Union Terrace Gardens is one of Aberdeen's gems and we want to improve access and usage so everyone can share and enjoy this wonderful green space in the very heart of our city.

"The people have already given us a clear idea of what they are looking for through the CCMP consultation exercise and now we want to turn that into reality."

The design team is expected to be chosen towards the end of the summer.

The winning firm will be asked to produce costings and a business case for the project. If approved, work would go out to tender.

A public consultation exercise to verify the proposals would then take place towards the end of this year, with work scheduled to begin before autumn 2017.

(LM)