Council buys post office building

Inner-city apartments in Porirua could soon become a reality following the city council’s purchase of the former post office building.

The purchase, for about $570,000, is part of the council’s multi-million dollar city centre revitalisation plans.

There is an urgent need to carry out seismic strengthening on the building, which was vacated in 2013 because of earthquake concerns.

Porirua mayor Nick Leggett said the council would be looking for partners to work with to create inner-city accommodation.

‘‘This is an important step in revitalising our city centre,’’ he said.

‘‘ Apartments downtown will mean there are people needing goods and services – that means cafes and food shops and more of a buzz in the area.

‘‘Every successful town centre now has an element of residential and there’s no reason why Porirua can’t do the same.’’

Porirua City Council was able to acquire the building from New Zealand Post under the Public Works Act.

Leggett said though the strengthening could be costly, it was about putting together a package that was attractive enough to encourage someone to lease it. He hoped it could be done quickly.

The building is four storeys high. It has floors of approximately 350 square metres, with proportions ideally suited for residential conversion.

The council will spend more than $12 million over the next three years on the CBD, including revamping Cobham Court.