A Win for Maungawhau Urban Realm
It was one of those joyous moments to be at the community liaison group meeting on Wednesday night with City Vision colleague Christina Robertson from the Albert-Eden Local Board. Both they and the Waitematā Local Board have been pushing for a master-planned approach with high quality urban design that connects seamlessly and in multiple ways with the wider Uptown area. We have also ben pushing for activations of the space from the opening of the CRL to ensure the space is interesting, safe and functions well. And we've got both!
The Auckland Urban Design Office, the artist previously known as Eke Panuku, now under the leadership of ex Kainga Ora (HNZ) exec Patrick Dougherty, is taking over the project. They have pivoted and instead of selling off lots on an ad hoc basis they propose to offer the site in its entirety to a tier one developer who will get some flexibility in approach as long as they meet the outcomes of good pedestrian connections/ safety/ green space and so on. We are not in a pumping market at the moment so it may be a while to see shovels in the ground but this sounds the best way forward. There was a ripple of applause from residents.
They are also looking at bus connections, pedestrian cut throughs, how they might activate the Nikau St ‘gateway’ to Uptown businesses and short-term leases of the site. there will also be some sort of transitional treatment to the batter slope below the corner of Nikau and Flower St - this may well be grass - which will be nice.
In the meanwhile, placemaking team Fresh Concept is going to activate the area like they have done in the Wynyard Quarter. This could include markets, a bike hub, art exhibitions and cultural events. A whole range of things are possible and they will survey people (to get a broad range of people inputting) asking for ideas. They are keen also to include activities the business association has done in the past that have been popular. I'm stoked that this is happening. If you are a local resident, business owner or regular visitor then share your ideas and desires with kelly.durham@at.govt.nz by 22nd September. what they want to know is:
What types of open spaces would you like to see?
How can we strike a balance between delivering temporary spaces while not overcommitting, given the site will ultimately be developled?
What types of activities, events, activations, or passive opportunities would you like to see in these spaces?
One gentleman in the room suggested a showground, with a funfair! I look forward to seeing what emerges.