#YourPublicRealm Zine

This is the story

This zine tells the story of over 750 people who told us about their memories, thoughts and ideas for the development of public space in Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter as part of a creative programme designed and delivered by Navigator North working with artist Sara Cooper between November 2022 and February 2023.

It features feedback and contributions from the people who took part in a series of specialist talks, outreach sessions, hosted events, artist commissions, social media campaigns, workshops and a focused exhibition at The Masham. Lots of people helped us to explore the story of the area through our programme including Teesside Archives, Rachel Deakin, The Word, Dyad, The Tunnel Gallery and Freestyle Community Projects.

#YourPublicRealm was commissioned by Middlesbrough Council and Historic England as part of Middlesbrough’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ).

I’ve lived here 25 years - the space could be left open; it should be a clean air space. Under flyover is better for SLAM being demolished. The flyover is ugly, no one looks after it. Could paint it. I’m very disappointed of the lack of support from the council especially in helping younger people find things to do. We need more empty office space. Fair prices 4 small businesses. “It’s pretty but bland”. Take back the north. Let people decide Boro’s FUTURE! Epicentre of change. UTFB (Untapped for Business). Fresh clean air please. We are here! Creative space for all. I like art but different forms and artists to keep it interesting. Like the art in Rosedale Abbey! Installations (Andy Goldsworthy). Temporary: sculpture, installation, performance art. A place artists could put art. Culture hub. Allow the youth to shape its future. Exchange Square = Peace and Love. A place to sit. An outdoor swimming pool. Safe space for self-expression and a water feature. Family friendly venue. Family hubs. Safe spaces. Open-air venue space. Evening times. Something quirky. Soul will add more life. Live entertainment. Poetry. Basecamp. We miss SLAM. Keep Basecamp x3. Another Basecamp x2. Base camp back. Don’t stop Basecamp – Preston listen to the people! Basecamp in another building –community! Basecamp and Ten Feet Tall. Bring back Base camp. Base Camp :( Pineapple Black x3. Outdoor art. An outdoor art gallery perhaps. Something colourful for RAM-Z. Live graffiti – Art walls. Shelter for artists to create. Art gallery. Art space accessible for all. Art at the heart of Teesside. Places to sit. Power points. It would be good to have live music or performance here. There should be somewhere for young people to go that’s interesting – a bit more culture. Seating –permanent or temporary for performances

What would make Exchange Square a safe and vibrant public space to spend more time in?

SPOKEN WORD, POETRY. Bring experts in to design lighting. Clean Air Zone? Green hang out area. “Make places look more pleasant, keep improving the spaces with planting”. Community garden. Need to plant more trees along Zetland Road and wildflowers. More greenery. Grow food, hydroponics. Flyover could have solar panels installed. Could we have green walks like in Singapore? Would green planting change the sound? Flowers x2. Protect the bees – More green spaces. Community garden x2. Flower garden. Plants

“Better lighting to make it a more appealing/approachable space at night.”

“To have more lights at night and a reason for going there like a market or skate park.”

“Cleaning up all the rubbish and make a more bright and vibrant place for people who want to visit.”

Tell us how you would encourage more people to use this space in the future?

“Host different activitiesaccessibility, once it’s vibrant the vibe becomes welcoming.”

“Try to make it a must visit place, either a meeting place, a destination or a current part of peoples routines.”

“Act as a place of public meeting point and a place to relax during summer. Host pop-up stalls and events. Highlight as the centre of ‘Historic Quarter’.”

– more green space. Outdoor winter garden. Japanese Garden. “People cried when the Dorman Tower was demolished.” “These places are our identity; we’ve got to look after them”. In the 80’s Albert Road had lots of offices and lunchtime was a hive of activity. The terminus was triangular shaped, where all the workers would come and go from. The buses were packed. They were constantly having to dredge (at the docks) for the ships coming in to the port – so in about 1979-80 they were going to close the docks and develop Teesport. My Grandad and Dad, then me were all stevedores. The bridge is ideal for a monthly creative market (seasonal market) or mini Orange Pip. Markets bring the community together – I’d love to see one in the square. Market. A market place would be brilliant, like the Orange Pip market. Free library. Skate shop. Skate Park and climbing wall. Skate shop x 8. If skateboards want to use it – great. Skate shop or Basecamp to stay or a new Basecamp. March 2023 20 Skate Park and a music shop and skate shop. Hemel Hempstead ...Kim’s hometown near Watford developed a landfill site into a sport Arena/ XC centre - lowered youth crime. Skate shop and skateboarding. Skate shop or skate-park. More music and art!! Good nightlife. Live music x2. More gigs. More music, youth venue clubs. Chill out lounge. Music venue x 100000000. Music performances. Live music. Music and beers. More grassroots venues to support local bands. Music art involvement. Music stage. Music venue. Big massive party. Base camp – new 1. Live music/gigs. Music store. Guitar shop/music. Music shop x 2. Lots of rock music stuff. Hot dog stand. Street food. More food n music. Food stalls. Get a hotdog van. Taco/burger/sushi/pizza retro style food shop. Market Stalls. Vintage Stalls. Flea Market. Xmas Market. I would like to see the sq. used for a second-hand flea market. Among us shop. Pop up shops. Gamer shop. Schools shop. Car show – retro, supercar, modern car. Free language lessons. Glamping pods. Tiny escape room. Cat café. Not luxury apartments. Not student of any apartment. A food area – there’s already a seating area so would be beneficial to what’s already been built, connecting the spaces. A garden or planted area. Skate Park.

Description – brick foundations, 6 pillars, 3

How can heritage feature in the design and creation of these spaces?

“People proud of Middlesbrough’s heritage, enjoy being informed and reminded about the pastRoyal Exchange. Hold events/ exhibitions to celebrate it. Shame to have lost the archives!”

“Keeping older buildings in good condition and open to the public. Maybe historical plaques/info.”

“Using repurposed bricks and features which were once used in the area, repurpose the historic, giving it (the space) a memory.”

in centre, road elevated, planted areas on the far perimeter, red roof, brick and tile flooring, bollards. Changes: modern art, graffiti art, more lighting. A warehouse project, a rave space with disco lighting and DJs – dance floor, seating area, bar. Fill the gaps on the roadside where the planters are. Decorate the pillars, add lights. Make a car park. Add painting to the roof, like the Sistine Chapel. Hot food shops sheltered seating. Could fill the centre with pillars or arcs, sculpture. Theme for under the A66: ‘This Side of the Border’. A timber / steel framed structure to mimic Victorian terraced housing found originally in the town houses over the border. This should be combined with vibrant colourful graffiti on the ceiling of the A66 underpass. The structure should enclose some aspects of the underpass –possibly made from hot-rolled steel as homage to the steel industry. Pop up bars and street food outlets should be under the underpass with the housing facades on the outside. Overall, it should be a celebration of historical working class culture of Middlesbrough along with modern cultural diversity. Collect water for a green wall. Add painting to the roof. Market stalls with hot food. Seating area, however, could attract drug users to the area. Potentially, fill in archway between columns and create restaurant / shops – a mini shopping centre. It’s boring now. A skating park, BMX ramps, more greenery, windows A skate park with pedestrian area, more green space and lighting, create a water feature Could paint the pillars and the roof, make a skate park A market like Camden, modernise it, individual food places with seating area Little shops and artworks to make the area more appealing. Create commercial spaces by enclosing the spaces and have glass fronts. Use sound insulation and closed / open glass fronts for cafés or hospitality. The Tunnel Café with a contemporary vibe Duplicate Exchange House, a mirror image. Make a sustainable social space, green walls, use of red brick and sustainable cladding to fit in with the heritage and local environment Cafes and

microbars, semi-permanent structures Open social areas and interior spaces Street art on the ceiling and walls, an art gallery Add greenery. A heritage museum of Middlesbrough history Water fountains A swimming pool and gym Seasonal events and parties Escape or Rage room. A museum or Art Gallery Sound proofing Events Green walls Brighter colours Skate Park Art on the roof Famous people of Middlesbrough Clad the planters. Food and drink areas and entertainment Like Camden Market Green Walls, living walls. Collect water. Kinetic artwork, movement, harness the energy from vibrations. Event space People won’t come to a dirty town. Need to make spaces more inviting and tidy. More parties going on and places to mix as people are lonely. Just want places to be without expectation to spend money. The Peoples History – Community history, a place for people to go to engage with heritage and to talk about lived history and collate the history of the area. Middlesbrough is dying – it doesn’t exist! (Elder persons view on resources and provision for older people) The Victorian Baths they were closed, left to rot for six years, left to fade. A sticker of derelict was left upon it and the building was neglected, misused, demolished. The bus station was built there. In 40 years we.ve lost the Victorian Baths, now this woman needs to take two busses to go swimming every day after work. She would go with friends to swim when it wasn’t two busses. With M&S closing “Where am I to go?” friends. I don’t want a bowling alley or go karts, where are the places for the elderly. Where can I go? “What are we going to do now David?” (Posing question to David Branson) 2 x Elderly ladies. There is disconnect, the council isn’t as connected to the real thoughts and ideas of the public. Having a way to communicate – hear what the people want, have them engage with their won. Connecting with Navigator North is a good start. Tall buildings are made but niche, there’s a lot missing in terms of basics. Breakdown in the basics, print shops, internet access (library closed at lunchtime) Social spaces are so wanted.

Thanks to all the contributors to #YourPublicRealm and this collective zine.. local residents, students from local colleges (Middlesbrough College and Northern School of Art), visitors to the town/public, artist community and cultural organisations, employees, customers and visitors to HSHAZ venues and businesses, ‘Staying Included’ elders group, online audiences and Historic Quarter newsletter subscribers, current users of Exchange Square (including skater community, young people and audiences to local venues), property and business owners in the HSHAZ, Middlesbrough Council, Historic England, Local councillors, Executive Member of Regeneration, Deputy Mayor and Network Rail/Middlesbrough Railway Station.

For further info about the project visit www.historicquarter.co.uk

Photos - Rachel Deakin // Design - Nic Golightly