Car parks a priority in shared space

A SHARED space in Dunedin’s warehouse precinct will bring more car parks and green space to the city, the Dunedin City Council says.

On Tuesday the council announced plans for a ‘‘safe, slowspeed environment’’ for Bond and Water Sts near the Exchange.

Dunedin City Council urban design team leader Crystal Filep said the plan would prioritise car parks.

At present there were 36 car parks, and the proposed design would add 14.

‘‘The proposed design features grassed pavers in alternating car park spaces. These car parks are still usable car parks, they just have a different surface which provides some greenery to soften the area.’’

The council had been considering parking changes throughout the warehouse precinct since the area’s revitalisation plan was adopted in 2013.

The design, which had been developed by the council’s city development team, would be a symbolic representation of Dunedin’s history, Dr Filep said.

‘‘Bold paving lines mimicking weaving patterns . . . interwoven in the space’s centre so as to suggest an interweaving of cultures in Dunedin dating back to to the area’s historic use as a landing and trading spaceToitu Tauraka Wakawhere people of different cultures met,’’ she said.

The council hoped to incorporate ‘‘a diversity of stories and history’’ as it developed designs for central city plan work.

Public workshops on the proposal were held in March and a letter was delivered to all business and property owners in the area.

Plans for a revamp of Princes St, which were first raised in 2014, could be incorporated alongside work in Bond and Waters Sts.

‘‘This design development will include Princes St and the Exchange, but any final design decisions will depend on the results of future workshops and public engagement still to come.’’

During public workshops in 2014, road layouts, public art, historic information and bike racks were among the ideas proposed for Princes St. It was not known when the Princes St plans would be finalised.

A bus stop at Water St was likely to be relocated by the Otago Regional Council during a larger revision of bus routes.

Public consultation on the plan closes next Friday.

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz