IT looks like a sleekly-designed office complex in the heart of a thriving business district.
IT looks like a sleekly-designed office complex in the heart of a thriving business district.
But this is one of Glasgow's poorer communities - and how it would look after a planned £15million regeneration project.
As this artist's impression shows, Saracen Street in Possilpark could be unrecognisable in a few years.
A regeneration plan devised by Glasgow North Regeneration Agency is aimed at transforming the health and wellbeing of the area. It wants to redevelop a 1.72 hectare site next to the library.
The brownfield site, which once had a Blindcraft factory, has lain derelict for around 15 years and is still owned by Glasgow City Council.
Council bosses will be asked to sell the land to the agency for around £277,000 at a meeting on March 29.
GNRA then intends to go for planning permission in the next six months and wants work to start before the end of the year.
Under the plans, the new-look Saracen Street would have a modern health and social care centre, a new business centre offering affordable start-up space, a new building housing the GNRA and a housing office with meeting halls.
New businesses and shops, and possibly a small supermarket, are also envisaged, with work due to be completed by 2010.
A public square with landscaping and possible art exhibits is planned and the community will be asked to decide on a name for the development, which is referred to by locals as Saracen Square.
Anne McAleer, head of enterprise and property development for GNRA, said: "There is a real buzz about the area, with cafes, newsagents and a furniture shop established.
"We are determined to build upon that. We want to engage the community in our plans every step of the way and the feedback has been positive.
"There will also be jobs for local people during the construction phase."
Talks are under way on the fate of Stonyhurst Street Post Office, which is on the site of the new development. Locals have been assured the post office will be maintained in its current site or somewhere nearby.
Councillor George Ryan, the council's executive member for development and regeneration, said: "This project could play a key role in the regeneration of Possilpark. The development could bring much-needed economic activity and public realm improvement."
