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MONIQUE FORD / Things
A council committee is recommending that the municipal office building (left) be demolished and remodeled, rather than strengthened as originally planned.
Wellington City Council seeks to bring life to the city’s comatose Te Ngākau-Civic Square.
At a meeting of the council’s policy and strategy committee, councilors voted to include the demolition of the municipal office building in the 2021-2031 long-term plan, rather than strengthening the existing building.
The committee also asked council officials to develop a plan for the Te Ngākau-Civic Square as a whole, and asked that a framework be developed to return the main council buildings to the square, while developing as the musical heartland. , creative and democratic city.
It agreed to continue working with the University of Victoria and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to develop a National Music Center.
READ MORE:
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* The University of Victoria plans to demolish the heritage listed Gordon Wilson Flats to create a ‘new front door’
Mayor Andy Foster described the plaza as in an “induced coma” and in need of revival.
He said it was no longer economical to strengthen the municipal office building before leasing it to Victoria University and the Symphony Orchestra, which the council had originally planned.
“There was a hope of that a year ago, 18 months ago, when we thought it could be a $ 40- $ 50 million project.
“It is clear that now it is a project of more than $ 80 million and it is not going to give us a building that is resilient, it is not going to give us a building that is adaptable, it is not going to give us a building that is modern, and not He’s going to give us a building that does nothing for Te Ngākau-Civic Square. “
Ross Giblin / Stuff
Mayor Andy Foster said Te Ngākau-Civic Square was in an induced coma and needed a resurgence.
“The clear message we have is ‘do it once, do it right’, and the reality with MOB (the municipal office building) is ‘do it once, do it right’ means MOB has to go.”
Delaying development would mean that the National Music Center would take longer to come to fruition, in addition to costing the council while they rented space in other buildings.
“The faster we can do this the better, because otherwise we will still have Te Ngākau-Civic Square as a construction site for six years.”
Councilmember Nicola Young said the plaza should be the musical, creative and democratic heart of the city.
“There is a real sense, fair or unfair, that nothing is happening in Wellington. The problem is that perception is reality.
“The city cries out for leadership and action, and Civic Square has almost become an emblem for it. It is rotting. “
However, not everyone agreed with the proposal. Councilors Tamatha Paul and Iona Pannett expressed concern about the development of the site, which is on reclaimed land, due to the impact climate change would have on the site.
“If climate change didn’t exist, I would support it,” said Pannett.
“I think it’s time to start backing up.”
