2009 is set to be a momentous year for Belfast with ₤500 million worth of developments unveiled, including a number of landmark buildings opening their doors to the public again following extensive refurbishments. Next Friday (6 March) the Ulster Hall will open again, marking the start of a ‘renaissance’ for Belfast, as well as a number of new developments across the city. With Belfast City Hall due to re-open in August, the comprehensive list includes Queen’s University’s new Sir Anthony O’Reilly Library, St Malachy’s Church, Ulster Museum and Saint Anne’s Square as well as a number of new commercial, hotel and residential developments planned for the city. Other highlights include the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge in August when Belfast’s quayside will be transformed with a large number of Tall Ships having travelled across the Atlantic from Halifax in Canada. Belfast will be thriving with an influx of tourists and a packed calendar of events for residents to enjoy too. Speaking at the City Hall today where he revealed the extent of the investment, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Hartley, said: “2009 will be Belfast’s year – it will be a year like no other in the city’s history. For against a backdrop of economic downturn and job loss, this is the time for our city to claim solutions and turn its back on despair. “This is the year when we will showcase £500m worth of investment in Belfast. This investment has gone into maintaining and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our city through the refurbishing of its great iconic buildings like the Ulster Hall, City Hall and the Ulster Museum. “It will go towards building on the solid foundations for the future of Belfast in the striking new developments of Saint Anne’s Square, Queen’s University’s Sir Anthony O’Reilly Library, the University of Ulster’s new Belfast Campus and the Obel Tower. “Throughout the course of the year and year ahead, we will see how Belfast has developed into a confident and contemporary city. It is a great city to live, work, visit and invest in. It is a vibrant city full of opportunity, inspiring enterprise, creativity and change. Now is the time and Belfast is the place where anything is possible. “Today’s event will also highlight our drive to engage in more joined-up thinking and real partnership working, that is, the public and private sectors working with a common purpose and goal to create a better Belfast. The way forward for the management of our city is through a shared responsibility of issues and a shared delivery of solutions. “We must not stand back and let the moment pass. This is our golden opportunity to proclaim that this is Belfast’s time, its moment and we want to share it with everyone!” The historic Ulster Hall will be the first of the iconic buildings to open in the city in 2009 after a major two-year refurbishment programme. The £8.5 million scheme includes refitting and redecorating the main auditorium, the restoration of the original metal balcony balustrade and chandelier, new roof and floors and a moveable stage extension. Belfast City Hall is due to re-open in August after being temporarily closed since October 2007. Major renovations to the building will include replacing heating, mechanical and electrical systems, asbestos removal, drainage improvements, re-roofing and installing computer network systems. St Malachy’s Church in Alfred Street will re-open at the end of March after being restored to its former glory thanks to a £3.5 million investment. The Ulster Museum will also re-open to the public later this year. Other major investments for the city are The Boat development at Custom House Square in July, Saint Anne’s Square in September and the opening of M1/Westlink in March. In 2010, the Belfast Sewers Project which will improve water quality in both the River Lagan and Blackwater River is due to be completed as is work on the Obel Tower – Northern Ireland’s tallest building. The new Lyric Theatre is due to open in 2010 and work will continue on the Titanic Signature Project which aims to establish the Titanic Quarter as a major leisure and tourism destination celebrating Belfast’s rich maritime heritage.
