Matthew Bai
This week has seen Auckland’s Skypath project secure funding from Central Government, announcements for a new Mall in Napier, updates to Takapuna’s redevelopment situation and updates to 65 Federal Street.
Also in the news, further information has emerged detailing the reasons behind extensive delays at Auckland’s Alexandra Park apartment project.
Skypath:
Following several years of uncertainty, Auckland’s Skypath has secured $67 million (NZD) in funding, this time from the Central Government, as opposed to previous proposals for the project to be privately funded. In his announcement, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said “More and more Kiwis want the freedom to cycle safely around their towns and cities, and this investment in safe cycle infrastructure is needed to make that possible; SkyPath is the obvious, missing link in Auckland’s cycle network and will become an iconic feature of Auckland’s Harbour Bridge.”
These statements were consistent with those of Auckland Mayor Phil Goff who said, “This decision will be transformational for Auckland, allowing pedestrians and cyclists for the first time to have permanent access across the harbour. [The project] will connect the North Shore and Auckland isthmus with active modes of transport and will allow tens of thousands of people to get out of their cars and walk or cycle between the Shore and city.”
He added by saying “For adults and kids, locals and visitors to the city this creates the opportunity for a unique experience and to enjoy the fantastic vista of the city and harbour from the bridge and for commuters going to work, school or tertiary education it creates easy access to the city and equally for those wanting to visit the Shore and its beautiful beaches”.
“Skypath was a commitment I made during the mayoral election campaign. Thanks to the vision of the government and those who have campaigned so hard for it, including North Shore councillors Chris Darby and Richard Hills, Bike Auckland’s Barb Cuthbert and Skypath Trust’s Bevan Woodward, Skypath is now on track to becoming a reality, said Goff.
According to the announcement, the funding was part of a $390m funding package under the NLTP, and would constitute New Zealand’s single largest investment in walking and cycling infrastructure. Skypath is expected to be complete by 2021, in time for the next America’s Cup to be held in Auckland.
Napier Mall:
A large, informal car park in Napier is set to close on Monday to enable the construction of a new mall. This has concerned office workers who say it’ll become more difficult to park their cars following the loss of about 300 parking spots. Mana Ahuriri Ltd will spend approximately $20 million (NZD) constructing the 6,000 sqm building, and according to company director Warren Ladbrook, the site will be transformed into “an impressive large format retail strip”.
One of the units, with a floor space of 1319 sqm will be occupied by Briscoes, while another 2099 sqm unit will be occupied Rebel Sports. The third will have a floor space of 907sqm.
“The aim is to centralize and consolidate Large Format Retail in Napier and is part of our vision of providing a better retail offering and experience, with greater employment opportunities,” Ladbrook said.
Takapuna Update:
CPNZ previously reported that the Council has indicated its intention to redevelop Takapuna’s car park into a high-density precinct similar to Wynyard Quarter and Britomart. A 3,000 sqm town square will be created on part of the 7800 sqm car park site and 2500 sqm of an adjoining property the council owns on Hurstmere Rd.
The remaining land, less land required for laneways and new connections across the sites, will be sold to private developers for apartments, offices, shops, restaurants and cafes. The 250 car parks will be moved to a new car parking building on the council-owned Gasometer site about 200m away in Huron St.
While the project initially faced strong opposition from local community groups, who feared the irreversible loss of public space, the project can now proceed following the results from a second consultation, which indicated the redevelopment was actually supported by 69% of respondents.
“The community has given us a clear steer that they want to see their village improved from a car park to a safe and well-designed public space for people to love. I think the numbers do the talking, and they clearly indicate a community preference for the council to proceed and revitalise Takapuna”, said Chris Darby.
In April, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chairman George Wood said the proposed sale showed Auckland Council was “strapped for cash”, but now said he felt positive that a decision had been made.
65 Federal Street Update:
As previously reported on CPNZ, a design competition has been launched for a new skyscraper at 65 Federal Street. The developer, ICD, has enlisted four separate architectural firms to prepare two designs each. One will be fully compliant with AUP controls, while the other can be done under more “creative interpretations” of the planning rules. More details about the proposed development can be found here. We will provide a further update to this story upon the release of designs in September.
Alexandra Park Update:
Launched in 2015, Auckland’s ambitious Alexandra Park apartment development has seen extensive delays which led up to the departure of the main building contractor. Further details have emerged this week, revealing some of the reasons for Canam’s departure and the subsequent slow construction progress.
Alexandra Park chief executive Dominique Dowding said the council issued a stop-work notice in April – covering the 246-unit project in the Epsom/Greenlane area – and it lasted for three months. “This related to observation, quality assurance and documentation issues with the erection of structural steel by the contractors on both buildings A and B. The notices were provided to both Auckland Trotting Club and the contractors Ganellen and Canam,” she said.
According to Dowding “Responsibility for the imposition of the stop-work notices and adequacy of documentation provided by Ganellen and Canam is the subject of legal disputes between the parties”.
Loukas Petrou, the managing director of Canam Construction NZ, said late last month that it had stopped work at the site and claimed the company was owed money.
Dowding said there was an agreed upon dispute resolution processes in the parties’ contracts, to deal with issues such as the stop-work notice.
“[Auckland Trotting Club] is working through those processes. While doing so, ATC is not prepared to ventilate the disputes publicly. ATC remains confident it has discharged all of its compliance obligations in respect of the structural steel. There are no issues with the integrity of the structural steel,” she said.