Garden Place gets go-ahead
Amakeover for Hamilton’s central square – with a playground in the mix – has passed the first hurdle.
The majority of Hamilton
City councillors voted for a proposal to put almost $4 million into a Garden
Place makeover, though some warned ratepayers wouldn’t like it. Council has been putting out the message that it is in a tight financial spot, but the inclusion of a mini destination playground proved enough of a sweetener to convince at least one councillor to spend the money.
Local property investors pitched a redevelopment plan to council, featuring new gardens, car-parking spaces and shared spaces for vehicles and pedestrians.
Councillors had to decide whether to give any money towards it on Thursday evening as they prepared their draft long-term plan.
The suggestion was $3.95m in capital expenditure – including the destination playground – and $44,500 a year for added operating costs.
Councillor Rob Pascoe had earlier convinced his colleagues they should create a mini destination playground with up to $750,000 of the money.
‘‘Show [ratepayers] plans so they’re not going on half-baked facts that they think the square’s going to look like, and let’s go out and consult,’’ he said.
He hoped this could be the start of a good working relationship with city businesses.
Some people say they don’t want council to change Garden Place, Cr Siggi Henry said.
But many also say they don’t like it how it is, so she supports the motion so far. It was exciting to have local businesspeople with runs on the board wanting to do something for the city, she said.
Cr Mark Bunting was initially going to vote against the proposal, but changed his mind because of the playground.
Ratepayers want them, he said, and it would draw people into the city centre.
Cr James Casson said the playground could turn into a ‘‘vagrant wonderland’’ and he had a warning for his colleagues.
‘‘There’s a huge groundswell out there that do not want us touching Garden Place yet again. If you vote it through, you’re not listening.’’
Cr Angela O’Leary said council hadn’t handled the process at all well and she had some serious reservations.
‘‘We’ve only seen one proposal,’’ she said.
‘‘We have procurement processes in place to protect us from the perception of cronyism. And that is the perception out there and that concerns me greatly.’’
Cr Leo Tooman said he thought councillors were meant to be trying to reduce the 15.5 per cent rates rise. ‘‘We’re not doing a very good job.’’ Councillors voted 7-5 for the redevelopment.
Those opposed were James Casson, Angela O’Leary, Garry Mallett, Paula Southgate and Leo Tooman.
‘‘There’s a huge groundswell out there that do not want us touching Garden Place yet again. If you vote it through, you’re not listening.’’
Councillor James Casson