Coming down
The first two blocks of ageing council flats in Palmerston North’s Papaioea Place are being demolished to make way for rebuilding on the site.
The first two blocks of ageing council flats in Palmerston North’s Papaioea Place are being demolished to make way for rebuilding on the site.
They will be replaced with 12 new units designed to catch the sun, stay warm, and provide facilities that will enable tenants to remain there as they grow older.
City council property manager John Brenkley said the first stage of the work involved demolishing eight flats.
Once resource and building consents were in place, building of 12 replacement units would begin, probably in June.
The $6.5 million first stage of a makeover of the complex would involve a total of 48 new units replacing 32 old ones on the Papaioea Park side of the site, with 16 old ones retained until the next phase for up to 30 new units and a possible community centre was approved.
Council housing portfolio holder Susan Baty said she was delighted to see the project finally under way.
The redevelopment had been on the council’s work-list for about a decade, but she had opposed earlier plans to replace the flats with like for like.
The current plan enabled more, eco-friendly units to be provided, while freeing up valuable land for further development in a desirable location close to the hospital.
‘‘It’s really great value for ratepayers and tenants.’’