Public to have say in future of City Focus
27 July 2015
Inner city businesses and the wider community will be consulted on the future of the City Focus.
The decision to consult follows feedback obtained through the long-term plan consultation process and a survey of inner city businesses in January this year.
It was recommended that the City Focus be considered for removal to encourage reinvestment in Hinemoa and Tutanekai streets, achieve a north-south traffic flow and encourage more pedestrian activity.
A survey conducted in January as part of consultation on a draft Inner City Revitalisation strategy asked if people thought there should be a review of the City Focus this year. Of the 116 respondents 66% said yes', 27% said no' and 7% said they did not know.
Only 19 submitters to the draft long-term plan responded to the question should City Focus be removed? with 68% saying no' and 32% yes'.
A representative submission from 17 building owners in the inner city stated the City Focus impacted on business, rental value and capital values and that Hinemoa Street had suffered from being behind the City Focus with links to the central city spine (Tutanekai Street) visually affected and tenancy of buildings impacted.
Other submissions noted that the City Focus was a place for displays, music and events and was important to the centre of the city.
What happens now?
Draft options to take out to public consultation are being developed now. These will take into account key aspects of the Inner City Revitalisation strategy and feedback received to date.
The options will be presented to councillors at their next full council meeting, on 20 August. They will be asked to approve options for consultation.
It is anticipated public consultation will take place from late August until the end of September.
Public consultation will take various forms including surveys and face-to-face feedback with display boards to be erected in various locations in the central city and a mailout also planned.
A preferred option will be developed from the feedback received before councillors make their decision, which is expected to happen in October.