New library site on Napier’s books

Closing a road to build a new library between two city squares is one idea being considered by Napier City Council as it ponders options for a major rejig of its civic buildings.

The council is considering demolishing its main administrative building on Hastings St.

A seismic analysis, due over the next few months, is likely to show that it will need an expensive upgrade to bring the site up to code for earthquake reliance.

The council is proposing moving staff into the neighbouring four-storey library building and redeveloping the Hastings St site, possibly into a hotel.

That would leave it needing to find a new location for the city’s library.

City strategy director Richard Munneke said moving the library to the Clive Square and Memorial Square precinct would help revitalise the western edge of the CBD.

Closing the section of Emerson St that separates the two squares in order to house a library was only a proposal as the council prepared to consult members of the public on possible plans for developments that would be several years away.

‘‘All options are on the table,’’ Munneke said.

But plans to develop the city’s squares have drawn a backlash, particularly from opponents of any move to demolish an historic building on Memorial Square.

The 1925 former ‘‘Women’s Rest’’ building – designed by renowned art deco architect James Augustus Louis Hay – has been closed for several years after the council discovered it was earthquake-prone.

The historic building would not need to be demolished in order for the proposed library to be built, but heritage groups are concerned the council may want to demolish the building as part of its development plans for the square because a figure of more than $1 million had been put on making it seismically safe.

Art Deco Trust heritage officer Michael Fowler said the trust was ‘‘fundamentally against any of our heritage buildings being knocked down’’ and it would take the matter up with the council.

Munneke said no decision had been made to demolish the building and it was important for the community to have a conversation about its future.

Options for the Hastings St site included developing a hotel, apartments or a retail precinct.

PHOTO: NAPIER CITY COUNCIL An impression of how part of Napier’s Emerson St, running past Clive and Memorial Squares, could become home to the city’s library.

Napier’s current council headquarters could be demolished if testing finds it needs significant seismic strengthening.