Businesses have worries about Cuba St makeover
Palmerston North’s business network is upbeat about city council plans to improve Cuba St, but firms on the street have reservations.
The stretch from George St to Pitt St is in line for a major renewal that includes narrowing the road, planting trees and creating more outdoor gathering spaces for people.
Manawatu Chamber of Commerce chairman Owen Greig said anything that added vibrancy, people and business to the city was good.
‘‘But it could upset some businesses along the way.
‘‘Overall it is good, so long as the council is listening to all and trying to accommodate as many views as possible.’’
Businesses were worried about the impact the work would have on easy access to the street, both during the upgrade, and afterwards.
Cooper Tyres moved to the former Manawau Mufflers building on the corner of Andrew Young St three months ago.
‘‘Local tyre guy’’ Lance Collis said he was on the fence about the changes. ‘‘It will look cool, but what will it do to business?’’
Collis said he was worried about the disruption while the work was carried out next year and what effect it would have for traffic flows longer term.
‘‘And is it really necessary? Why not put their green strip up the middle of the road, like Cook St?’’
Across the road at Famco Lighting, Simon Jalfon said an upgrade was needed.
He pointed to an area of footpath that was a patchwork of repairs dating back over 50 years.
‘‘It’s progress and something needs to be done. And I’m not against some trees and grass.’’
His main concern was about the removal of some on-street car parks, even though his business did not depend on passing customers or vehicles being able to park at the door.
Famco Lighting is across the road from the former Civil Defence House, home to the police district command centre. ‘‘When there’s something big on, police vehicles flood the streets.’’
He said people liked to park on Cuba St where it was free, rather than walk up the road or around the corner to metered parks.
The length of the street in for the upgrade is also home to Manawatu House, the base for Magic Sparks Day Care and a call centre, Maximum Dance Zone, China Town restaurant and Beds4u. There are several empty tenancies, including those in the Elgin building on the corner of Pitt St.
One of the champions of nearby ‘‘Little Cuba’’, Shaun Kay, said the work the council had done to improve the streets around the Taonui St/george St intersection had provided great spaces for people to gather outside.
He welcomed the plans to extend the theme along the street.
‘‘So long as it is not too polished, then you would lose that sort of urban feel.’’