 Projects were submitted, and I too put forward an ‘Al Fresco Fridays’ concept that would see the main streets of Milford, Takapuna and Devonport closed off on a Friday so restaurants could spill out each night and we could dine beneath the stars in a socially distanced way.
The only project that did get selected in our neck of the woods was one submitted by Eke Panuku on Northcroft & Huron Streets. The project intent was to work with the community to co-design a temporary pilot that created a greater public realm, actively slowed traffic, and made the entry to Takapuna town centre from the Toka Puia carpark more welcome and less of a cold, soulless, windblown corridor. In November and December 2020 Eke Panuku conducted community engagement with local residents, businesses and the Business Association. People discussed the need for pedestrian safety, slower vehicle speeds, wider and more even footpaths, a sense of connection to the town centre and more places to sit. This engagement has informed what is there today. What is there today is temporary and many people have expressed their distaste for the brightly colored spots, the loss of carparking, and the concern for money spent on creating what we see. I understand all these concerns and also support the Business Association in their desire to see more parking reinstated. However, it’s important to remember that what is there is not permanent, and rather the feedback Panuku are asking for is intended to inform what will be there in the future. Do we want wider footpaths, more street trees, a more interesting and energizing street design? Or was it perfect just the way it was? If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to take a look and give your feedback online. There’s certainly no right or wrong feedback, but there is definitely constructive and destructive feedback, so click here to have your say.
5 Comments
Neena
2/8/2021 12:07:15 pm
• sorry but I think the colours are awful..... a shame that the concept was ruined by the horrid blue/terracotta
Toni
2/8/2021 12:19:39 pm
Hi Neena, I think it's a shame the colours are such a distraction from the intention here. Perhaps that's the feedback you need to give? Al Fresco Fridays would have been super cool, the plan was to close sections of road on a Friday night only (5-10pm) and maybe organise a shuttle between the 3 town centres. There have been similar events in Devonport during Artweek and of course Takapuna just delivered an amazing Winter lights event last weekend which showed the appetite of the community to come out and enjoy their town centres. Regardless, it wasn't funded, so maybe it's something the Business Associations can consider doing in the future.
Karyn Little
3/8/2021 01:33:12 pm
As much as I would like to say I love the colours I just can't, look at Takapuna a beautiful seaside location, shouldn't we be focusing on its natural beauty instead of trying to make it look tacky, I think a way more upmarket approach best suits the area which in turn would intice good businesses to open, I would be interested to know where the idea had come from and what cities had done the same, please spend the money wisely I thought being environmental was the councils focus, I really would much rather greenery than paint.
Anne Ryan
3/8/2021 05:32:23 pm
My little car has been scraped on its undercarriage by the impractical bumps (even at 20km)) and the colours are the opposite to our beautiful beachside setting - they are garish and distracting. The sooner our street is back how it was the better! 13/8/2021 09:57:25 am
Think this is a great idea, for more shared spaces, etc... However, it would be SO much nicer if they had used a more subdued and natural colour scheme similar to the viaduct / Britomart areas... Leave a Reply. |
