AILING CBD NEEDS A REVAMP
TOWNSVILLE CBD needs a proper square, not cluttered with “unnecessary buildings and concrete blocks”.
Landscape architect Simon Mcconnell has weighed into the debate of the city’s rundown centre after it was highlighted in the Townsville Bulletin.
He was scathing of design features, such as the steel shelters and concrete block seating installed during the 2011 $55 million makeover which opened the former Flinders Mall to calm traffic.
The custom-made shelters were too small and ill-suited to the tropics and he suspected the concrete seating had been made uncomfortable to discourage “itinerants” but it also discouraged everybody else.
OUR CBD needs peoplefriendly design and space and more focus on boosting the inner-city catchment which can feed the city centre, according to landscape architect Simon Mcconnell.
Mr Mcconnell was commenting after residents and Townsville Bulletin columnist Shari Tagliabue lamented the state of the CBD with large numbers of shop vacancies.
There were calls for offers of six-month free rent to attract businesses, arts and community groups.
Mr Mcconnell directed his comments more to the CBD’S outdoor space.
He was scathing of design features, such as the steel shelters and concrete block seating, installed during the 2011 $55 million makeover which opened the former Flinders Mall to calm traffic.
The custom-made shelters were too small and ill-suited to the tropics and he suspected the concrete seating had been made uncomfortable to discourage “itinerants”.
“The problem is it discourages everybody else,” Mr Mcconnell said.
He also believed the much-needed public space or square had been cluttered with unnecessary buildings and concrete blocks.
The services – information centre, toilets and cafe – should have been put in existing buildings, he said.
“The space becomes completely useless other than to walk through,” Mr Mcconnell said.
“We still don’t have a town square to make this centre relevant to the community.
“I don’t believe the centre will ever be relevant unless we can create a proper square.”
Mr Mcconnell believed there were three options to create open space, including expanding the current square, which could be used for people to gather, for markets and events, but that they required the acquisition and demolition of property.
He said plans to upgrade the open space at Central Park were good and that connecting the Strand with Ross River Parkway via an innercity waterfront promenade would provide an important access link and fantastic “bicycle spine”.