A HISTORY experience centre is among 10 ‘big ideas’ unveiled to revitalise Chester’s fortunes.
Economic experts at the Urban Land Institute (ULI) believe crumbling Dee House, overlooking the amphitheatre, could be turned into a history centre with the Roman remains exposed in the basement and on public view.
Dee House has always divided opinion because some campaigners believe it should be pulled down to reveal the amphitheatre but ULI believes its suggestion provides a compromise.
ULI, who were tasked with helping to rejuvenate Chester, said: “This would not be a museum in the conventional meaning of the term but a ‘true’ experience where visitors would enjoy learning about Chester and its history in an entertaining and interactive manner, but without falling for the trapping of ‘themed attractions’.
“The experience would be focused on a specific period of Chester’s history, such as the Romans, or perhaps the history of Chester since prehistory to the 21st century.”
Other ‘big ideas’ include:
Creating an up-market hotel on the rows
Converting the former Odeon into a small theatre or art-house cinema
Turning Chester ‘the Henley of the North’ by having more activities on the River Dee
Redeveloping the castle as a multi-functional facility with a hotel, arts centre and exhibition space
The ULI said underground parking for 2,000 cars would be essential to pedestrianise the city centre.
Today (Thursday) the ULI’s findings will be discussed at a conference at the racecourse aimed at developing a vision for the city.
