Demolition of council buildings a step closer
It’s hoped that Napier’s ‘‘ghost town’’ image will vanish, now that the demolition of the old council buildings will go out for tender.
Yesterday, the Napier City Council voted to tender the job, which is thought to cost about $1.1 million.
The city’s council building and library have been empty since mid-2017, when they were found to meet just 10 per cent and 15 per cent respectively of the legal requirements for earthquake strength.
The council said the whole civic area near the buildings was underused, creating the feeling of a ‘‘ghost town’’ when passing through the corridor towards the Civic Court.
‘‘This has had a negative impact on retailers in the Civic Court area, who have been forced to close down and relocate,’’ staff said.
The cost of strengthening the council building was considered too high, and the council voted to divest the civic building site and secure a hotel for Napier.
Negotiations had also been taking place with a hotel developer, and it was ‘‘timely to prepare for the demolition of the building’’, staff said.
During the past two weeks, the council had a chance to investigate, speak with consultants and read numerous reports provided over the past eight years, councillor Graeme Taylor said. ‘‘We’re now in a position to move forward. Although much of the report has been around seismic assessment, this isn’t just about seismic assessment.’’
Councillor Sally Crown said she was excited about the move. ‘‘I’m looking forward to seeing this town come back to life. There’s lot of potential.’’
Councillor Api Tapine said the seismic assessments had been a ‘‘key mitigating factor’’, and there had been concerns over reports.
I’m (now) sitting in a position that I am confident with both reports . . . it’s about making the right decisions for the right reasons,’’ he said.