16 July 2004

New look Lorne Street available for comment

Aucklanders are invited to have their say on the draft concept plans for the $4.5 million revamp of the cultural Lorne Street area.

The aim of the upgrade is to transform the area into an attractive, user-friendly public space, with better pedestrian access between Queen Street, the Auckland Art Gallery, Central City Library and Albert Park up to the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.

The main features of the draft concept plan include:

-upgrading the paving and kerbstones throughout the area to a high quality bluestone, in a similar style to High Street

- new street lighting to improve safety and make the area more welcoming

- a refurbished Khartoum Place
- stairs linking Rutland Street with Mayoral Drive
- creating new steps and seating areas in front of the Central City Library and texturing the road surface to emphasise pedestrian priority and to slow traffic down
- converting the upper part of Lorne Street into a one way street with drop off zones and short term parking outside the new AUT facility
- widening the southern side of the footpath on the lower section of Rutland Street to create more space for the students who use the street
- adding a pedestrian crossing across Wellesley Street connecting Lorne Street and linking the Central City Library and New Art Gallery and
- enhancing the existing planting on Lorne Street and planting more trees on Wellesley Street to reinforce the link between the city’s major parks – Victoria Park, Albert Park, the Grafton Gully and Domain.
Chairperson of Auckland City’s Recreation and Events Committee, Councillor Scott Milne, says the proposed plan addresses many of the issues identified by property owners and Lorne Street users during the consultation earlier this year.

“The release of this draft for consultation is a major step towards a more user-friendly and attractive Lorne Street. Because this project is long overdue there is a natural tendency to rush in and get the job done. We are curbing this desire with a determination to do it once and do it right. It is crucial for the success of this project that Aucklanders look at the plans and let us know if they can be improved,” he says.

Copies of the proposed plans are on display at Central City Library, 44 – 46 Lorne Street, Auckland central and are available from the council on request.

People can have their say by using one of the feedback forms available at the display or by contacting Auckland City on (09) 379 2020 or emailing lorne@aucklandcity.govt.nz

The consultation period closes on 7 August 2004. All ideas will be considered for inclusion in the final concept plans.

The draft plans cover the entire length of Lorne Street, from St Pauls Street to Victoria Street, including Rutland Street, Wellesley Street East, Kitchener Street and Khartoum Place.

Work will be carried out over three years, with $500,000 allocated for construction this year.

The upgrade is part of Auckland City’s Auckland CBD Into the Future strategy to revitalise Auckland’s CBD into one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres.

It is one of the key projects supporting the council’s draft vision for the Aotea Quarter. Auckland City plans to transform the area around Aotea Square into the city’s arts, culture and entertainment hub while retaining its civic and heritage elements.

Other proposed projects occurring in the area include the Queen Street, Aotea Square and Auckland Art Gallery upgrades.

The designers are Architectus Bowes Clifford Thomson Limited.

ENDS

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