Kingsway Centre - new shop fronts have been installed at the Woolworths end of the mall together with a conservatory style glass roof.
The vast area cleared by the demolition of the old Kingsway Car Park and shops is now under development - this part of the site will house the new Debenhams store.
The rear entrance to the Kingsway Centre opposite Emlyn Street has been remodelled. A new public space is currently being constructed.
Bus stops have been set up at the rear of the Provisions Market. Buses will circulate through the city centre in future providing stops at the new bus station, market, railway station and shopping centre. The current bus station will be demolished later this year.
New stores - Tracks Coffee Bar (Cambrian Road) and Strawberry Water Junk Company (Upper Dock Street) have recently started trading in the City Centre.
The subway link to the railway station and to Mill Street (underneath the Queensway) is gradually being removed as part of the Station District development. The subway entrance at Cambrian Road (see above) has been filled in as part of this work.
Platform 4 at Newport railway station has been renewed and extended and, once operational, will cater for London-bound high speed trains. The station will be fully redeveloped over the next two years.
At the Kingsway site the first stage of the construction of the new shopping centre car park is under way. The 850 space car park is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2008.
Saturday July 28 2007
The frame for the entrance to the Kingsway Centre fronting John Frost Square has been erected - this will accommodate new retail units.
City centre buildings are being restored. This picture of a building on Skinner Street was taken on 30th June. It has now opened as a Coral Bookmakers. Other buildings are being restored or developed including apartments above street level in High Street and Skinner Street.
Scaffolding is being erected around the old Technical Institute (Art College) building near Rodney Parade as preparations for the development of the site begin at long last.
A new floor is being laid at the Sovereign Arcade end of the Kingsway Mall . Wilkinsons confirmed this week that they will be the anchor store for the mall - at 54000 square feet it will be one of their largest stores in the UK.
September 8 / 29 2007
New Opal student accommodation building taking shape on Docks Way. The building is due to open in time for the 08/09 academic year and will provide facilities for 551 students at the University of Wales, Newport.
Costain are continuing their preparation of the city centre roads and infrastructure. Part of the development is a riverside plaza or open space with waterfalls and other features. Part of this is under construction near the Usk Footbridge.
A huge hoarding has been erected on the Kingsway Car Park fronting John Frost Sqaure to advertise the new city shopping mall, Friar's Walk scheduled to open in 2010 with work due to start shortly.
The boulevarding of Usk Way (at the George Street end) is nearing completion. The roadway has been realigned to provide an impressive tree-lined causeway.
The new frontage to the Kingsway Shopping Centre is under construction. This will provide two levels of shops at the front of the buliding, a link with the adjoining Debenhams store and a new entrance for the Museum / Art Gallery.
At the Emlyn Street end of the Kingsway Centre the new open space and paved area is complete. A new entrance to the Kingsway Centre will be erected. The space adjoins the Kingsway Car Park currently under construction (due for completion - summer 2008)
February 2008
New frames have been added to the front and side of John Frost Square as the Kingsway Centre development continues slowly. The two tier level of the Centre will connect to the new Debenhams Department Store. Inside the centre the new Wilkinsons store opened in January 2008.
Work is progressing well on the flood defences for the George Wimpey City Vizion development. In addition, a new temporary roof is being raised above the Old Technical College building in preparation for its conversion in to luxury apartments.