Trafalgar St closure in pipeline
Costs
A move to close the top of Nelson’s Trafalgar St to traffic is under way with a final decision on the $72,000 proposal to be made in September.
If approved, the section of street between Selwyn Place and Hardy St, known as upper Trafalgar St, would be closed for four-month intervals each summer to create a ‘‘unique and inviting space’’.
The first trial is set for December 1 to March 31 and is expected to cost between $36,000-$72,000, excluding design and installation costs.
Feedback from affected parties, police, and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will be collected after Nelson City councillors unanimously agreed on the move at yesterday’s council meeting.
Several councillors said the proposal was ‘‘exciting’’ after two failed attempts in 2003 and 2011 that called for the area to become a ‘‘pedestrian mall’’.
Businesses opposed closing the street to traffic in the past. But a meeting between the Nelson Regional Development Agency, Uniquely Nelson and Trafalgar St businesses in May showed support had grown, a council report said.
Councillor Ian Barker said he would like to see the road permanently closed.
‘‘The attitudes of the businesses there have evolved and changed. The time has come for it to happen.’’
Estimated costs to the council included about $1200 for signage and $4500 to $7000 to subsidise businesses for the extension of a liquor licence during the proposed trial period.
Councillors Barker and Mike Rutledge questioned the liquor licence subsidy for affected businesses.
Nelson City Council executive officer Michelle Joubert said the subsidy was ‘‘a carrot’’ to encourage business owners to take part in the trial, as the costs could hinder their involvement and threaten the success of the proposal.
She said the council would further investigate the businesses’ intentions for a liquor licence extension and provide an exact figure at future discussions.
Councillor Matt Lawrey questioned the length of the closure, and was told the four-month period was at a request from interested businesses.
Councillor Gaile Noonan said the council should be prepared to spend the money on ‘‘good quality’’ items to create an aesthetically pleasing place. ‘‘If you put something in that’s cheap and nasty, it’s just not going to have the right affect. Let’s go for something good quality.’’
Emergency vehicles would still have access to the street as well as delivery vehicles during specified hours.
There are 14 parking spaces, including disabled parking spaces, in the area proposed for closure. Council staff will examine the possibility of designating parking spaces on Hardy St or Selwyn Place for disabled parking.