Today I was invited to the press event for the unveiling of the outline plans for the new City Centre Campus.  I have to say, I was impressed.  I spent over one and a half hours with the architects from BDP and I managed to get many questions answered that readers of this blog have sent to me.

Questions,
“Is Curzon Street Station a part of the project?”
“Will there be an extension to the Woodman pub?”

Answer,
No, they are separate from the whole development.  Birmingham City University do not intend to do anything with these listed buildings.  On the diagrams they are marked in red to represent their importance.  The station will remain unused until someone else finds a use for it, the Student Union may be interested in The Wooodman however.

Question,
“Have they been working in conjunction with Patel Taylor?”

Answer,
Yes they have, but not much has been going on.  As some of you may know, Patel Taylor is the design team behind the Eastside City Park project.  BDP have had several meetings with Birmingham City Council and Patel Taylor, however they have not yet decided what is going to happen with the park, too early to tell.

Question,
“What’s going on with the central feature?”

Answer,
Something Birmingham City University call a “learning centre” which provides student support, library services etc.

Question,
“Eastside was going to be an exemplar of sustainable design.  CHP source? Green credentials.”

Answer,
The whole project is built around sustainability.  Grass roofs, solar panel louvres, natural light are all important.  As for transportation, they are looking at only including limited parking spaces (200-250) that will be located on the lower ground floors of two of the blocks.  Public transportation is a big importance, with three rail stations and one bus terminus nearby meaning the site is very accessible.  I asked if anything has been thought about the pedestrianising of Corporation Street and its effects to buses, and if any money will be put to one side for the extension of the tram network, both of these were found to be too early in the planning process to answer.  The project will include several hundred bicycle bays, which sounds good.  What is also important is a space between the viaduct and buildings where tress will be planted so wildlife can coexist on the site.

Question,
“Timescales?”

Answer,
The project will be built in phases.  Phase one should be BIAD and TID, Conservatoire a little later.  Strange when the Conservatoire have to vacate their site in a couple of years.  The first phase has to be submitted for planning soon and built by 2012 to satisfy an agreement between the university and the city council.

Of note, Curzon Park project will be built before this 2012 date.  As well as residential apartments, two hotel buildings will be built next to Curzon Street station.  Keep your eyes out on this project.

The height of these building is higher than I thought.  They will range from 14m (close to Curzon Station elevation) to around 60m. (towards Moor Street).