What’s next for Lorne Street?

Auckland City is inviting ideas from the public to assist plans for a $3 million revamp of the cultural Lorne Street area.

The initial ideas for Lorne Street include more attractive footpaths, enhanced landscaping, improved lighting, a safer and more user-friendly Khartoum Place, and better pedestrian access between Lorne Street, the Auckland Art Gallery, Central City Library and Albert Park on up to the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.

Chairperson of Auckland City’s Recreation and Events Committee, Councillor Scott Milne, says the aim of the upgrade is to transform Lorne Street into an attractive, user-friendly public space.

“At the moment this part of the city is scungy, dark and feels unsafe. We need to revitalise this important area.”

The upgrade runs the entire length of Lorne Street, from Mayoral Drive to Victoria Street, including Rutland Street and Khartoum Place. Links with Auckland Art Gallery from Kitchener Street and Wellesley Street are also planned, allowing better access to the central business district’s (CBD’s) major cultural buildings and public spaces.

“This is a major step towards improving areas that contribute to the life of the CBD.

“It is important that Aucklanders tell us what they would like to see happen to the Lorne Street area to ensure the success of the project,” he says.

You can have your say by filling in a consultation postcard, available at the Britomart Display Centre, 122 Quay Street; Auckland Art Gallery, Central City Library or ground floor, Civic Building, 1 Greys Avenue, Auckland City. Alternatively you can let us know by emailing lorne@aucklandcity.govt.nz

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

The upgrade is part of Auckland City’s draft 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.

All ideas will be considered for inclusion in the concept plans for Lorne Street. The consultation period ends on 12 March 2004.

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