The proposal, championed as a vision to transform John Street into a one-way "destination street", was unanimously rejected at a meeting of local business owners. They described it as a "terrible idea", disconnected from the realities facing a struggling city centre.
A key flashpoint was the proposed removal of
47 on-street car parks, despite a lack of parking being one of the most
frequently raised concerns by retailers and customers. Business owners
delivered a clear message: the CBD needs more parking, not less.
Deputy Mayor Scott McKenzie has attempted to
downplay the setback, arguing the concept was never a final design and that
feedback was always intended to be part of the process. However, many are now
questioning how such a flawed proposal made it to the consultation stage.
LETTERBOX believes Cr McKenzie should spend
some time trying to understand the fundamental reasons why the city centre is
in decline before promoting a poorly thought-out, money-wasting plan as a grand
revitalisation proposal.
We again suggest that councillors and the
Mayoral Taskforce for City Centre Revitalisation begin with the obvious
reality: the solution lies in enabling a mixed-use environment that includes
small-format boutique retail, offices, and residential development. Enhancing
the amenity of John Street may well be a positive step and nice to have, but it
needs to come up with a realistic solution before committing $29 million of
ratepayers' money to a vanity project.
More
Northern Advocate: Businesses force rethink of Whangārei council’s $29m street upgrade, HERE >>>
Photo credit: Northern Advocate