A “disgusting” 1970s multi-storey car park blighted by vandalism is set for a £750,000 makeover.
The work is being earmarked for Royal Harbour car park in Leopold Street, Ramsgate.
Thanet District Council (TDC) says its current condition “does not reflect the vision for Ramsgate” due to its neglected, tired and unwelcoming appearance.
The authority leases the four-storey building under terms which specify the council must keep it in good, well-maintained order.
It is continuing to negotiate purchasing the freehold of the car park, which it is estimated will cost £3 million.
A report being presented to councillors says: “In order for the council to exercise its option to purchase the car park, all the tenant obligations are to be met, including that of maintaining the car park as required under the lease conditions.
“Breaches of these conditions could result in the inability to purchase the car park.”
The 394-space car park was last refurbished in 2003, which included repairs to the concrete structure, decks and stairwells.
But the officer’s report says the building suffers due to its exposed location near the sea.
It adds: “As the first arrival point for many visitors to Ramsgate, it is important to show a well-maintained and functioning facility.”
Now, the cabinet is earmarking £754,000 for its refurbishment, including external and internal redecoration, especially the stairwells.
Papers show £1m is set to be redirected from cash allocated to the Mill Lane Car Park in Margate – to also include a contingency for the Royal Harbour Car Park’s works.
The report notes: “Due to the works undertaken at the time of purchase of Mill Lane Car Park [in 2018] and the reduced public use, the overall condition is better than Royal Harbour Car Park.
“However, the works to replace the lift are currently in the process of being procured.
“There is sufficient allocated funding to cover the estimated budget of £754k for this project [Royal Harbour] and therefore we will recommend to cabinet that these funds be redirected.”
District councillor for the central harbour ward, Rebecca Wing (Green), previously spoke to KentOnline about the Royal Harbour facility, saying: “There are parts of the car park that are okay and there others which are totally disgusting – the stairwells and the underpath mostly.
“You hold your nose as you walk through. That’s part of the problem with anti-social behaviour in the town.
“There is a real issue with anti-social behaviour and some of that has impacted the multi-storey car park.”
Users have also widely condemned the state of the car park, branding it “smelly” and “a dump”.
Its refurbishment has been welcomed by the Ramsgate Society whose chairman John Walker described its current condition as “a complete mess”.
“With the planned transformation of the Pier Yard car park into a public square, losing a couple of dozen spaces, the Leopold Street multi-storey will become even more used, so it’s good to see it’s going to be refurbished.”
TDC’s overview and scrutiny committee will discuss the scheme on Tuesday.
