Submitters state CBD upgrade case
Retired doctor John Vercoe says Invercargill is being hurt by retirees choosing to move elsewhere, and he suggests the city block development could play a part in helping retaining them.
Vercoe was one of the submitters who spoke to councillors yesterday in relation to if the Invercargill City Council should invest a further $16 million in the planned city block development.
Vercoe told the councillors he and his wife had lived and worked in Invercargill for 40 years.
However, they have recently sold their medical business and have pondered where they will spend their retirement.
‘‘We are now part of the ‘will we stay or will we go brigade’. A good proportion of our friends have left the city.’’
Vercoe felt the departure of newly retired professional couples had hindered the city.
‘‘This group of people on a whole are capable, energetic, and they enhance the sporting, cultural, economic, and social volunteer life of the city.’’
He supported councillors investing $16m more to take the total investment up to $46m.
‘‘This development will make the city more desirable and attractive, it will spur further developments and it means the city has a better chance of retaining people like us.’’
All up 452 people submitted to council on the proposed extra $16m investment, with 60 per cent in support of boosting the overall input to $46m.
Southland Chamber of Commerce president Neil McAra told councillors they had surveyed its members and 80 per cent were in favour of the council investing further.
Invercargill resident Bob
Simpson said what was being considered was a ‘‘late 20thcentury American mall’’.
‘‘It is unlikely to provide joy for the residents of Southland. It may benefit the consultants and builders,’’ he said.
Simpson wanted the council to call a halt to the development and instead employ some urban planners and architects to prepare some different design options.
Invercargill resident Kate Hays said she has been to other cities in New Zealand, and throughout the world, where some malls sat almost empty.
‘‘Don’t build more shops, build flats in the inner city, they’ll be very popular,’’ Hays said.
Following Friday’s hearing, the council released a statement saying they have enlisted urban design specialists Isthmus Group to investigate how to bring the ‘‘wow’’ back to our city centre.
Chief executive Clare Hadley said ratepayers and council were looking for transformational change for the city centre.
‘‘Part of this is making sure existing businesses and new developments are linked within the heart of our CBD,’’ Hadley said.
During the next six months, Isthmus Group will engage with key stakeholders and businesses to understand our current space, and to hear ideas for the future.
Initial workshops with key stakeholders will be held this week, and it is expected that a formal proposal will be presented to the council by the end of the year.
The council has set aside up to $20m for the streetscape work.