£8m plan for Smethwick town centre
An £8 million scheme aimed at kick-starting regeneration in Rolfe Street and the heart of Smethwick has been announced.
It will include new commercial buildings as well as improved pedestrian links between the railway station and Smethwick High Street.
Sandwell Council is applying for Government cash to fund improvements in a project to reverse decline.
Borough economy boss, Councillor Steve Eling today said it was a "bold move" with work complementing the £42 million Brindley Village II regeneration scheme.
Work is due to start this year on almost 200 homes plus shops, roads and open spaces created on a 12 acre site around Lewisham Road, Mafeking Road and the Birmingham Mainline canal.
On Thursday Councillor Eling will be asked to approve a £4 million funding bid to the European Regional Development Fund. Total costs are £8.1m to be match-funded from the public and private sector.
He said today: "This is a bold move on the part of he council because Rolfe Street has been in a state of decline for 30 years and has been very difficult to get anything done about it."
This would extend development on the other side of the canal to the Brindley housing development.
"Smethwick will be like the Venice of the UK when this is done," he added.
The council plans to sell Smethwick Enterprise Centre with tenants Future Skills Sandwell going to purpose built premises. If funding is approved, it is hoped work will start in April to end in September 2015.
