An East Kilbride councillor is urging the local authority to look at creating an “iconic” new civic centre in the town.
Councillor Joe Fagan said that although the town centre is almost entirely privately owned, a plan for a new public sector-led development could breathe new life into parts of it – if the council and owners got round the table.
The Labour councillor argues it would support the town centre economy and give East Kilbride a new public building to be proud of.
And he has been pressing for the council to explore options for replacing the town’s ageing civic centre with a new public building and cultural venue, while maintaining East Kilbride Arts Centre.
He believes the existing centre site could be repurposed for housing, creating more footfall for local shops, while moving a new civic building into the footprint of the town centre would boost footfall and give council workers and service users a brand new facility.
Councillor Fagan told the East Kilbride News: “We need new ideas to boost the town’s economy and create a town centre to be proud of again.
“Over the past few weeks I’ve been arguing that the council needs to take a decision about the civic centre.
“Do they keep spending public money on maintaining an ageing building, or do they invest in a totally new, modern centre? An iconic new public building could be the centrepiece of a revamped town centre. ”
He added: “It’s time to get the owners of the centre round the table with the council and working on plans we can take to the community.
“Retail is struggling, it’s largely over provided for in East Kilbride and there are council buildings falling apart. Let’s turn these negatives into a positive and find a solution that works.”
A spokesman for EK, East Kilbride, called his proposals “exciting” with the potential to be “hugely positive” in the long term.
