‘Outstanding and Inspirational’ Youth Center in Downtown Christchurch Gets Green Light

A $ 20 million youth center in downtown Christchurch has been given the green light, but only narrowly.

The center, planned for Salisbury St and Gracefield Ave, received a resource consent, despite vehement opposition from neighbors.

The facility will provide accommodation for up to 40 people in need, ages 16-24. Most will stay three to 18 months at a time, as long as they are participating in a formal education or actively seeking work.

In a decision published Monday, Commissioner Ken Lawn said it had not been easy for him to conclude that the benefits of the center would outweigh the inconveniences.

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“It has taken me some time and many pages to reach my decision.”

Lawn ultimately decided that the benefits to the entire downtown city community “marginally outweigh” the adverse effects on neighbors, despite his view that the facility would be inconsistent with the district’s plan.

He said the center was “exceptional and inspiring” and had “considerable public benefits.”

In addition to housing, the 4,250-square-meter center, to be built on the former site of the Canterbury Bowling Club, will offer health care, mental health support, training, recreation and employment services to youth ages 10-25.

The project has received $ 10 million from the Government’s shovel-ready construction initiative.

Lawn told the Youth Hub Trust that it was a privilege to be able to operate in a special residential area of ​​downtown, and she hoped it would honor that privilege and minimize the effects on the neighborhood.

For those who opposed the development, Lawn said he hoped they would welcome or at least coexist with the center and find ways to work together to address any issues.

Neighbors were concerned that the center would “destroy” the area because it would create too much noise, increase traffic and mean a loss of privacy.

Many were concerned about safety and feared that the value of their properties would fall, and felt that there were other parts of the city where the center would be more suitable.

Lawn concluded that the effects of traffic would be minor and that noise would probably not be minor most of the time.

Trust president Dame Sue Bagshaw said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the consent approval.

“This is the green light that we have been waiting and waiting to begin the next exciting phase in the development of the project.”

Bagshaw said he expected to start building in about a year, depending on any backlog or appeals, which presenters have until the end of the month to present.

Victoria Neighbors Association spokeswoman Marjorie Manthei said the decision was surprising because the district plan clearly indicated that the land within the inner city residential area was intended for residential use with very few exceptions.

He said the decision could have implications for other residential neighborhoods within the central city.

The association has not yet discussed whether to consider an appeal.

The center will have office space for some 12 different youth-related organizations, private and community outdoor living spaces, a basketball court, cafeteria, event center for 200 people, a rooftop greenhouse and an indoor space for recreation and art.

The land has been purchased by Anglican Care and will be leased to the center for construction and execution.