SEAFORTH radar tower could be home to a spectacular light display throughout Capital of Culture year.
The lights, powered by nearby wind turbines, would illuminate the tower itself and the waterfront area.
This is the first stage in plans to redevelop the disused tower, near Waterloo marina, as a major visitor attraction.
It is hoped a new tower can be built, with a viewing platform up to 100ft high and room for 200 people at a time, as well as a purpose-built visitor centre and cafe.
An investigation by the Mersey Basin Campaign has ruled out renovating the existing structure.
Iain Taylor, research and development director, said: “It’s a tricky building to do anything with.
“But what this study has shown is that it’s not so much the building that is precious, but the location. At that point, you have the best view of the River Mersey.
“From the top you can watch birds and ships, and see the Mersey Estuary including the Liverpool skyline, Crosby coast, New Brighton and the Welsh hills.”
He added: “The new tower would be an iconic structure – a symbol of confidence in the area and its regeneration.”
Entitled ‘The Mersey Observatory’, the project also involves Sefton Council, Mersey Waterfront, Peel Ports, The North West Development Agency and Liverpool Biennial.
Proposals for the tower, which could cost around £10m, are in the early stages as the existing structure would not be demolished until after 2008.
A planning application for the light display will be made after funding proposals have been finalised in March.
Mr Taylor said: “The lighting is the first stage. We hope to get it up and running this November, continuing for around 12 months.
“We will be working with lighting engineers from around the world. The lights would be completely computer-driven, very animated and colourful. There would be lights coming from the tower and possibly also projected on to it.
“We would plug into local wind turbines and use low energy lights.”
As well as the Capital of Culture celebrations, the scheme would be part of Mersey Waterfront’s River of Light programme.
Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of Waterloo Residents Association, said: “Lighting the radar tower will create a beacon and a focus pointing to a brighter future for our community as the various initiatives come on stream.”
The lighting project would be funded by Mersey Waterfront.
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