13 August 2015

Opportunities abound for future of Aotea Quarter

Aucklanders will be asked to help shape a new framework to evolve the area around Aotea Square into a thriving cultural hub, servicing the whole of Auckland.

The Auckland Development Committee today approved a consultation paper on the ‘Aotea Quarter Framework’, which will go out for public feedback in September and October.

Committee deputy chair and political design champion Chris Darby says: “Many great things are already happening in the quarter, including laneways, events and upgrades to Myers Park. When the new Aotea Station is created – along with the City Rail Link and bus improvements – this area will become very well connected: north, south, east and west.

“This is going to create huge opportunities for the area to really lift its game and become the cultural and entertainment hub for all Auckland,” Councillor Darby says.

The consultation programme is set to include public walking tours, focus groups and opportunities to have your say online at Shape Auckland. Questions will include how the quarter can better fulfil its region-wide role, how to get more families living in the area, which parts need to be made safer or better for pedestrians and how some of the sites around the area could be better used.

While the consultation is underway, in the first week of September the council will also be putting a call out to developers who want to express an interest in the Civic Administration Building, which has now been vacated by council staff.

The council has agreed a number of requirements for the Expression of Interest (EOI) process, including restoring the building’s heritage values, sustainable design and recognising Te Aranga Maori design principles.

ENDS

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