Following the judging of the Regeneration and Renewal Awards 2008, the Symes District Centre has been voted a finalist in the Neighbourhood Renewal project of the year category. The results will be announced on tomorrow.
The scheme, which saw the 1950s shopping street replaced by a Morrisons superstore, shops and a new community building and library, landed the Regeneration Award at the South West commercial property awards in November 2007.
The award was presented to Bristol City Council Sustainable Projects Team; Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership (HWCP); South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and Morrisons PLC.
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In addition, former HWCP Chief Executive, Stephen Hewitt, who led on all aspects of HWCP's involvement in the overall redevelopment of Symes Avenue, and in particular in the development of the new Symes community building, also scooped a prize in the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) Regeneration Network Awards in April 2008. The former HWCP Chief Executive is a council employee.
Councillor Helen Holland, Local Ward Councillor and Leader of the Council, said: "I'm delighted and so proud that the Symes Avenue re-development has been voted into the finals of this major award ceremony, adding to the recognition the project has already received from other awards.
"The completion of the project was the result of many years of hard work and commitment by the communities with a range of partners and would not have been possible without their tireless efforts.
"Symes Avenue has transformed the area, attracting business and creating jobs in what was one of the most depressing area of the city. I think everyone involved in realising the revival of the area can be very proud indeed."
(CD/JM)
