Developers propose to reshape Ashburton’s Triangle into laneway
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Developers want to reshape the historic Triangle precinct in Ashburton by turning it into a laneway and creating something special for the town.
Justin Skilling and Robert Grice have been restoring the old buildings along Victoria St and have big plans for continued major redevelopment
Their latest concept is to close the section of the street off to vehicles to make a laneway.
Skilling said they have been working with the council around the plans and will submit to the long-term plan for the closure.
“We have the plans drawn up and now it’s a matter of engaging with the councillors and the public."
Between them, Skilling and Grice own all the buildings on the southern side of the street, and Skilling owns half of the north side.
Skilling’s redevelopments started with the Triangle Café and then last year Smoke, a restaurant and butcher.
The Rabbit, a dessert and cocktail bar, opened up while Berry Beauty and CosMedics moved into the renovated old Plunket Rooms.
Grice is preparing to redevelop his existing shops into an exciting new mixed-use hospitality precinct named The Ash.
It’s all turning the triangle back into a destination.
“It was never planned, it has just evolved.
“The next step for the regeneration of the Triangle is how we tie that into [Baring Square], the library and event centre.”
The concept will be part of a submission to the long-term plan to have the conversation about how and when it could work, he said.
“While we have the momentum and everyone is saying how great it is, why don’t we make it something special for the town for the future?”
Making the triangle a laneway would provide easy links to the Ashburton Event Centre to the north and Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton’s library and civic centre, to the south, Skilling said.
Creating the laneway will also help tidy up a dangerous stretch of road, he said.
Living right on the corner, Skilling said he witnessed near misses most days.
“I would rather make the change to prevent a serious incident than it be done as the result of one”.
Another wider aspect to consider is car parking.
Closing off the street will reduce car parking but Skilling sees the Balmoral Hall site as an ideal, centrally located solution “that’s already being used as a car park”.
The council is proposing to sell the Balmoral Hall and Polytech grounds, rather than repairing the building for an estimated $1.4m.
Another option is retaining the site as a car park on the eastern side of the CBD, Skilling said.
The council is undergoing the consent process to build a second public car park on SH1/West St.
“We already have something on that side of the CBD,” Skilling said.
With the planned second bridge expected to bring more traffic through the eastern side of town, providing adequate parking rather than having people travel back across the railway line to SH1 would be beneficial, he said.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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84% Yes
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14% No
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2% Other - I'll share below!
Ashburton’s old library sold
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The old Ashburton Public Library building has sold, but what that means for ratepayers remains under wraps.
How much it sold for, who the new owners are, and what their plans are for the site remain sealed for now.
The building, on the corner of State Highway 1 and Havelock St, was home to the Ashburton library for nearly 60 years.
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said there were three offers on the property and the settlement date is May 10.
“The purchase price remains confidential at this stage.
“The new owner has asked for anonymity until they are ready to announce their plans for the site, and we will respect that.”
The funds from the sale of the old library are planned to be put towards paying off the construction of Te Whare Whakatere, the new library and civic centre, offsetting the impact on ratepayers.
The council also planned to sell the old administration building site but a decision has not yet been made, Riach said.
“The council is looking to conclude the long-term plan process before making that decision.”
The final build cost of Te Whare Whakatere is yet to be confirmed.
“Once that is confirmed we will advise publicly,” Riach said.
Riach previously stated the final cost would be known after the “resolution of all matters between the council and construction and design contractors”.
Initially budgeted at $56.7m, before its completion the council signalled an overrun in the region of 10%.
The project also received $20m from the government’s shovel-ready infrastructure fund.
While the plans for the old library site remain unknown, the fountain on the corner of the site will move to the Tinwald Domain.
Business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said the fountain is on the same title of land as the library and the council has been talking with the family that donated it about its future once the library was sold.
“The council is currently working with a local contractor to build a drinking fountain beside the playground at the Tinwald Domain and some parts of the library fountain, including the fish, will now form part of the new fountain.
“We think this is a great way to preserve a slice of its special history.”
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