Crystal ball gazing and the future of George St
COUNCILLOR Steve Walker and central city planner Glen Hazelton seem to me to be into the realms of crystal ball gazing when it comes to the potential outcomes of a partial section of George St.
This section of road is now developed into a oneway street, subject at times to closure, complete with a playground. No doubt this new playground facility will be used by children of all ages, and sometimes unruly tertiary students. Possibly at times also for able but tired geriatrics trying to relive their childhood years.
This also happened over 50 years ago. The DCC of the time, in its infinite wisdom, voted to remove the many buildings housing both small shops and some professional businesses in what was then called the Broadway Arcade, to form a direct road between Manse St and the Maclaggan and Rattray St intersection.
This stretch of street is now known as Broadway.
Once demolition was known the Broadway Arcade businesses had no option but to close completely, or move. Many shifted to George St.
Over time larger businesses in the Exchange area also moved or closed, e.g. Patterson & Barr, Calder McKay, John Edmonds, banks, restaurants, Dunedin Post Office, etc.
What was once a very vibrant and bustling area of Dunedin is much different to what is seen today. The Exchange location has never fully recovered from the demolition of the Broadway Arcade.
Looking into my crystal ball I can see some businesses now in George St either closing, or relocating to South Dunedin. The soon to be opened Kmart may just be the right catalyst for this to happen. But to really succeed there must be plenty of lightvehicle parking. John Neilson Ravensbourne
Here to help
I was pleased to read ( ODT 8.5.24) that the Waihemo Community Board is ‘‘irked’’ by the state of signage at the entrance to Palmerston and Hampden.
The ‘‘pink’’ signs are in other places too, and long past replacement. My husband, the late Jim Hinkley, was commissioned by the Waitaki District Council at least 20 years ago to produce signage for all the townships on SH1 and in the Waitaki Valley. The ones in the valley were redesigned by someone else and this was not an enhancement. However, the signs for Palmerston, Hampden, Moeraki, Herbert/ Waianakarua, and Kakanui all had a distinct look. I don't know where the ones for Palmerston, Moeraki, and Herbert/Waianakarua are now, but the Kakanui sign is displayed at the primary school and the Hampden sign is on the outside wall of the Hampden Bowling Club. Even when the building was painted, the club reinstated it. I think this was because Hampden was blessed not to receive a pink sign.
I'm sure Jim would design signs differently now but I still have the electronic images of the originals to produce a new set if the Waitaki District Council is interested. Could be quite a costsaver too.
Maria Barta Palmerston
Adult expectations
Take a moment to imagine what would have happened had, on October 8, 2023, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to condemn Hamas for their war crimes?
Had demanded the immediate return of all the hostages? Imagine how many people in both Gaza and Israel would be alive today, had that occurred.
Now ask yourself — why didn’t that happen?
It is time to treat the Palestinians like adults — get rid of the soft bigotry of low expectations and hold them fully accountable for their actions. Only then will peace be found.
G. Bouwer Waitati .....................................
BIBLE READING: God is our mighty fortress. — Psalms 46.1.