Agenda of Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

24 June 2015

CCI Progress Update for Auckland City Centre Advisory Board
- to 19th June 2015

File No.: CP2015/12413

Purpose

1. To update the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (ACCAB) on City Centre Integration (CCI) progress to 19^th June 2015.

Executive Summary

2. The report provides a high-level overview of progress on projects and initiatives in the City Centre, including:

a. Targeted Rate Projects

b. Other City Centre Projects

c. City Centre Strategies / Initiatives

d. Information Requested in Response to Board Resolutions

e. Forward Planner

f. Targeted Rate Financial Status Update

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) receive the City Centre Integration progress report, updated to 19^th June 2015.

Comments

Targeted Rate Projects

O’Connell Street Shared Space

3. The wind load model report for proposed O’Connell Street artwork is complete, which offers two addresses suitable for the artwork to be installed on. Engagement with building owners are ongoing to agree to an address.

4. Business in O'Connell Street are progressing a mid-winter Christmas place activation off the back of the successful Thursdays on O'Connell series. CCI has confirmed support in terms of facilitating road closure as part of the Place Activation Programme trials/in advance of Place Activation Strategy endorsement.

Bledisloe House Customer Services Centre and Bledisloe Lane

5. Final defects remedials have been completed. The project is complete on site.

6. A four week place activation pilot at the new Bledisloe Pocket Park (on Wellesley Street) commenced 13th June. Over this period the space will be "dressed" with winter comforts, there will be lunchtime crafts Mon-Fri 12-2pm, free sewing workshops 6-8pm on Thursdays and the public will be given the opportunity to describe “what warms their winter in the city”. The purpose of the activation is to engage local communities (residents, workers, businesses) with the newly transformed space as a place to gather and recreate and to reinforce the character of the broader Aotea Quarter as the city centre hub for artistic creativity and performance.

Myers Park Upgrade – Stage 2

7. Officers presented a paper to the Board in May on project process and recommended changes to the Stage 2 project scope. The Board approved the changes and the increase of $1.25m funded by TR to the project budget.

8. Concept Design will be presented to the Local Board mid-July and for final approval in August.

Beach Road

9. Construction is progressing well and due to complete in September, weather dependent.

10. The pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Beach Road and Tangihua Street is closed while the intersection is being reconstructed. Alternative crossing points have been provided.

Freyberg Square and Ellen Melville / Pioneer Women’s Hall

11. Design is underway. Construction is planned for 2016.

12. The local board has provided initial feedback to the design team, which will be developed for further review.

13. ACCAB feedback on design principles and assumptions will be sought shortly through a workshop (tbc), where design concepts will be presented for review.

High Street

14. Heart of the City (HotC) will provide a verbal update from the on-line survey of local businesses and community members, which requested feedback on the recently completed O’Connell St upgrade and input to further potential upgrades in the High St precinct.

15. A strategy for the potential redevelopment of the wider High St precinct will be developed with engagement from the business and residential community. This will be informed by the HotC survey feedback as well as design and engagement on the Freyberg Square project.

Karangahape Rd

16. A separate paper is provided which seeks Board endorsement of targeted rate funding for pedestrian and public realm improvements, leveraging off Auckland Transport’s investment in a new K’Rd Cycleway in 2015/16.

17. The enhancements will be aligned with the Karangahape Road Plan 2014 – 2044.

Wayfinding Signage

18. Work continues with external Prototyping companies for developing and sourcing the best products for the project. Progress is ongoing in developing the test plan for the Wynyard precinct.

19. Installation of test signage in Wynyard Quarter is scheduled to commence 3rd quarter -2015.

Other City Centre Projects

Hobson and Nelson Street upgrade

20. Reference design for both streets is currently being updated to reflect the traffic modelling outcomes for proposed reduction of traffic lanes, and public realm enhancement including for pedestrians and cyclists.

21. Updated design thinking will be presented to the next Board meeting.

Lower Queen St & Albert St Reinstatement Upgrades

22. The CRL project requires that significant sections of these roads are reinstated to a set standard following excavation and construction of the tunnels. Proposals for significant uplift in the future form and function of these streets will be presented to the next Board meeting.

23. Potential CCTR funding has been identified in the draft programme for Board consideration.

Victoria Street Linear Park

24. No further update.

Quay Street Streetscape Upgrade

25. Further planning and redevelopment of the streetscape upgrade will be informed by outcomes from the Central Wharves investigations, the Downtown Public Open Spaces review, and the timing and requirements of the Seawall seismic upgrade.

Quay St Seawall Seismic Upgrade

26. Project commencement is deferred until 2020 under the LTP proposal.

27. Further planning and redevelopment of the Seawall upgrade will be informed by outcomes from the Central Wharves investigations.

Ferry Basin Redevelopment

28. Further planning and redevelopment of ferry infrastructure will be informed by outcomes from the Central Wharves investigations.

29. Redevelopment will be staged to align with planned Quay St Seawall upgrades.

Westhaven Promenade / Waitemata Plaza

30. Stage 2 of the Promenade is provided in the LTP for construction 2017 – 2019. Design is underway.

31. A significant upgrade of Waitemata Plaza has recently been completed, providing a greener public space on the waters’ edge for residents and workers.

Waitemata Plaza

Wynyard Quarter Redevelopment

32. Stage 1 – Enabling works commenced in Halsey and Gaunt St late May 2015 with the primary works following in July. Priorities for completion are the services and street upgrades fronting the Fonterra development (planned for completion early 2016).

33. Stage 2 - Construction of Madden and Pakenham Streets upgrades due to start late 2015.

34. Resource consent has been lodged for the hotel development planned adjacent to Te Wero Bridge.

35. Options are being considered by Waterfront Auckland for redevelopment of the current Team NZ base at Site 18 on Beaumont St, as a mixed use development around marine activity.

Transport Infrastructure

36. The implications of potential LRT for planned projects in the city centre are significant and will inform sequencing and timing of those projects. It is expected that a ‘measured’ roll-out of LRT would require that significant bus volumes will need to be catered for in and through the city, which are then reduced / phased out over time, if and when LRT routes are introduced.

37. AT is reviewing the city centre PT network, to revisit bus routes, capacities and volumes through the city. The study will consider the potential staged implementation of LRT.

38. An update on progress towards an integrated PT solution for the city centre will be sought from AT for the next meeting.

Cycle Network

39. A presentation on the cycle network proposals was provided to the May Board meeting. Further updates will be provided as required.

40. Nelson St Bridge and Off-ramp (NZTA) – a design and build contract is underway, with completion due Sept 2015.

41. Nelson St – Off-ramp to Quay St

a. Stage 1 to Victoria St – design is progressing. Construction procurement is underway, completion due September 2015

b. Stage 2 to Quay St – to follow in 2016.

42. A separate paper is provided which proposes additional public realm improvements (over and above the basic cycle functionality), and seeks allocation of CCTR funding.

43. An online survey for Aucklanders to provide feedback on the potential streetscape design for Nelson Street Off-ramp closes 22 June 2015. www.shapeauckland.co.nz

Sky Path

44. The resource consent hearing was held in July. The commissioners are expecting to publish their findings shortly – these will be provided to the Board on release.

City Centre Strategies / Initiatives

Programme and Funding

45. The City Centre Programme (CCP) and Criteria was work-shopped with the Board in May. Comments and feedback have been incorporated into the revised Evaluation Criteria.

46. A separate paper is provided which seeks endorsement of the revised Criteria, and feedback on the revised draft programme.

Communications

47. An update on the review of the City Centre Masterplan targets was presented to the Board in May. The Board supported the review process and to commit support in the establishment of SMART targets where they have specific expertise.

48. Feedback from Board members is being addressed through the review. A further update will be provided in August.

Precinct Frameworks

49. Framework documents are underway for key city centre precincts, to collate planning and project information and inform decisions on projects and initiatives.

a. Downtown – complete.

b. Aotea - A workshop will be held with Councillors and local board representatives on 30th June to seek feedback on Issues and Opportunities for the precinct and Councillors’ Key Requirements for redevelopment of the Civic Administration Building. A draft Framework is due in August, and will seek public feedback in September 2015.

c. Learning Quarter – to commence 2016

d. Victoria Quarter – to commence mid-2016

e. Quay Park - An initial information sharing and problem definition workshop with key stakeholders is currently being planned.

f. City Centre Transport - A review is underway of scope, issues and outcomes; including review of public transport options and freight / motorway interfaces with city centre movement. The review will form part of AT’s refreshed regional ITP (Integrated Transport Plan).

Central Wharves Strategy

50. The separate Port Future Study will be managed through Council’s Central Planning Office (CPO), and will be completed by mid-2016. The Board’s participation in the study process will be addressed separately by the Chair.

51. The Central Wharves Working Group is continuing work on option 4 to report back to the ADC in late 2015.

52. The Central Wharves investigations will consider how the redeveloped wharves could function and address aspirations following a future transfer of Captain Cook Wharf from port operations, and what steps can and should be taken ahead of that to enable the interim demand for redevelopment of Downtown public spaces, cruise and ferry facilities.

53. Council has agreed to host the 350m-long ‘Ovation of the Seas’ cruise ship from Dec 2016.

Digital Auckland

54. The Council Executive team have approved the establishment of the Digital Auckland Programme, and the scope and development programme are currently under development.

Urban Environment

55. CCI is coordinating the development of work around the management of construction effects in the city centre over the next LTP programme. The work is now progressing, following agreement to the LTP programme in May 2015, and includes graphic representation of the programme and consideration of effects.

56. An update on Homelessness in the City Centre is provided as a separate paper.

Information Requested in Response to Board Resolutions

57. Refer to Attachment A – ‘Report on Progress from Previous Meetings’.

Forward Planner

58. Refer to Attachment B – ‘Forward Planner

59. The Board is encouraged to identify further topics of interest for discussion at future meetings.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

60. Workshops seeking Local Board input to the Aotea Framework and Ellen Melville Hall design principles were held in May 2015. The Boards was generally supportive of the proposals.

Māori impact statement

61. Monthly CCI Hui’s are set up with Iwi representatives - the next one is scheduled for the 10th July.

62. A Hui was held in June to consider the Aotea Framework. Copies of the Agendas, Attendees and Minutes have been provided to all invited parties, including the Independent Maori Statutory Board.

Implementation

63. Regular meetings and workshops are held with the Local Board, Learning Quarter, Iwi and the Auckland Development Committee prior to implementation of city centre proposals.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Report on Progress from Previous Meetings	19
b View	Meeting Topics - Forward Planner	25
c View	Targeted Rate Financial Status	27

Signatories

Author	Andrew Guthrie – Programme Director – City Centre Integration
Authoriser	Rick Walden – General Manager – City Centre Integration

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

24 June 2015

Proposed 2015-25 Targeted Rate Funding Criteria and Forward Work Programme

File No.: CP2015/12370

Purpose

1. To provide the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (ACCAB) with the proposed assessment criteria to assess projects suitable for targeted rate funding.

2. This report also includes a Forward Work Programme of proposed targeted rate projects and seeks endorsement in principle for the first 5 years to allow for planning and resourcing to deliver against the proposed programme.

Executive Summary

3. The City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR) was established in 2004 and through the 2015 Long Term Plan process has been renewed for a further 10 years along with the addition of a new residential targeted rate. The combined (Business + Residential) targeted rate that is to be collected over the next 10 years is approximately $230m.

4. The CCTR Forward Work Programme and assessment criteria was last reviewed and updated in 2008. It was considered timely that an update is now appropriate to the programme and criteria following the renewal of the CCTR and the introduction of the new residential targeted rate.

5. The assessment criteria has been updated and expanded to include criteria for “Major Upgrade Projects and Initiatives” and new separate criteria for “Minor Projects & Opex”. The criteria is now expected to better reflect the desired long term outcomes for the City Centre as well as enabling projects such as minor interventions and activation that will support public life during the expected disruption in the City Centre over the next 10 years.

6. The proposed Forward Work Programme is a combination of existing projects that are included in the 2015 LTP as well as proposed new projects and initiatives and is intended to provide a 10 year view of the upcoming work in the City Centre.

7. The Forward Works Programme is proposed to be reviewed on a 6 monthly basis or as required to ensure that programme reflects changing requirements and the dynamic nature of the city centre over the next 10 years as significant public and private projects are undertaken and completed in the City Centre.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) adopt the proposed City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR) Project Assessment Criteria as a guide to the assessment of proposed project benefits and importance, relative to potential funding through the CCTR

b) receive the Draft Forward Work Programme including the current proposed targeted rate funded projects for the FY15/16 – FY24/25 period

c) review and provide feedback on the Forward Work Programme to enable the programme to be amended and adopted.

Comments

Background

8. The City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR) was set up in 2004 to compliment and significantly enhance funding for the City Centre from Councils general rate and financial & development contributions.

9. Through the 2015 Long Term Plan (LTP) process Auckland Council with the support of the ACCAB renewed the CCTR for the FY16/17 – FY25/26 period and a new residential targeted rate added

10. The CCTR allows City Centre projects to be brought forward, known and new projects to be funded and a higher quality of products (as appropriate) to be provided for so as to dramatically transform the look and feel of the City Centre for the benefit of businesses, residents, visitors and the public.

11. The combined new residential and renewed business CCTR is due to collect $20.8m per year (uninflated) and is forecast that over the 2015-2025 period approximately $230m (inflated) in total will be collected.

Assessment Criteria

12. The CCTR forward work programme and assessment criteria was last reviewed and updated in 2008. It was considered that an update is now appropriate following the renewal of the CCTR and the new residential targeted rate.

13. The assessment criteria has been updated and expanded to now include criteria for “Major Upgrade Projects and Initiatives” and new separate criteria for “Opex & Minor Projects”.

14. The new assessment criteria is proposed to be non binding and aims to provide a guide to both the ACCAB in assessing projects being submitted for funding and for Council project teams when formulating projects for submission to the ACCAB.

15. “Major Upgrade Projects & Initiatives” Criteria is a refresh and evolution of the criteria that was established in 2008. The updated criteria has been amended to better reflect the desired outcomes of projects, taking into account how the City Centre has changed over recent years and to ensure that projects continue to deliver tangible benefits.

16. New separate criteria for “Opex & Minor Projects” has been introduced to enable projects that may not previously have been funded to be assessed and considered for CCTR funding. As the City Centre is due to experience significant construction and associated disruption over the next 10years it is considered that minor interventions, space activation and disruption mitigation projects will be essential to minimise the loss of public amenity during this time of city transformation.

Forward Work Programme

17. The 2015 LTP process anticipated the expenditure of some of the CCTR against city centre street upgrade projects with the remaining CCTR budget still to be allocated.

18. The proposed Forward Work Programme (attached) is a combination of projects that are included in the 2015 LTP as well as proposed new projects and initiatives and is intended to provide a 10 year view of the upcoming of work in the City Centre to inform the ACCAB, Council and CCO’s on the proposed projects, delivery timeframes, funding and available unallocated CCTR on a year by year basis.

19. The Forward Works Programme is proposed to be reviewed on a 6 monthly basis or as required to ensure that programme reflects changing requirements and the dynamic nature of the city centre over the next 10 years as significant public and private projects are undertaken and completed in the City Centre.

20. The review process will enable new projects that have been identified to be included in the programme, assess the progress and timeframes of current projects, reforecast budgets and unallocated CCTR and assess potential project deferrals.

21. The forward work will enable the Council (and CCO’s) to proactively plan and appropriately resource themselves to deliver the projects identified.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

22. The Waitemata Local Board (WLB) has been consulted on the proposed assessment criteria and the process being undertaken to prepare and finalise the forward work programme. Their feedback has been included and ongoing engagement with the WLB will continue.

Māori impact statement

23. The forward work programme will form part of the consultation and engagement at upcoming City Centre Integration hui’s that are held with local Iwi.

Implementation

24. Not applicable at this time.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	City Centre Targeted Rate - Project Assessment Criteria	35
b View	City Centre Targeted Rate - Project Assement Matrix	37
c View	City Centre Targeted Rate - DRAFT Forward Work Programme	39

Signatories

Author	Todd Berry – Senior Programme Manager – City Centre Integration
Authoriser	Andrew Guthrie – Programme Director - City Centre Integration

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

24 June 2015

Karangahape Road Cycling and Public Realm Enhancement Project

File No.: CP2015/12355

Purpose

1. To seek support from the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board to allocate targeted rate funds to provide pedestrian improvements and public realm enhancements to Karangahape Road (K Rd), in conjunction with Auckland Transport (AT)’s delivery of a protected cycleway along this key route.

Executive Summary

2. At the May 2015 meeting, the City Centre Advisory Board received an update about the programme of City Centre priority cycle projects. The update reported on the six priority projects which included the Karangahape Road Cycleway. Auckland Transport (AT) has commissioned a feasibility report on cycleway options along Karangahape Road (K Rd). The recommended option from the report is protected cycleways on either side of K Rd.

3. The Karangahape Road Plan which has recently been adopted by the Waitemata Local Board, identifies as part of one of its 6 key moves the potential for cycle facilities along key routes as well as pedestrian safety improvements and a reduction in the vehicle speed limit.

4. There is strong community support for protected cycle lanes, especially from Generation Zero and the Karangahape Road Business Association.

5. The K Rd cycleway project currently has $2.5m allocated to it from AT, through an external funding application submitted to the New Zealand Transport Agency ‘Urban Cycle Fund’.

6. It is proposed that additional enhancements should be included and delivered as part of the project including investigation into pedestrian priority initiatives at intersections, additional landscape and street furniture features, improved walking and cycling connections to other important streets and laneway linkages, feature lighting, parking way-finding and reduced speed limits.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) support a collaborative Auckland Transport and Auckland Council project, to deliver a protected cycleway, pedestrian improvements and public realm enhancements to Karangahape Road (K Rd)

b) endorse the allocation of targeted rate funding of $250,000 for investigation and design of proposed pedestrian and public realm improvements to the K Rd Cycleway in the 2015/16 financial year

c) endorse the allocation of targeted rate funding of up to $4.75m in 2015-17 for pedestrian and public realm improvements to the K Rd Cycleway. Funding will be subject to a further recommendation to the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board following initial design and costings.

Comments

Background

Auckland Cycle Network – City Centre priority projects

7. The Auckland City Centre Advisory Board received a progress update from AT Walking and Cycling Manager – Kathryn King in the 27 May 2015 meeting, which contained a report regarding the City Centre priority cycle projects. The report describes the Karangahape Road Cycleway as an important west-east route that fills a key gap in the Auckland Cycle Network between the western suburbs and city fringe and the city centre.

8. Karangahape Road is already a popular cycle route, perched on a ridgeline that provides convenient and direct access to various destinations. These destinations include the Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road ‘main streets’, Auckland Domain, Auckland City Hospital, Queen Street and cultural and art attractions within the Aotea Quarter. The route also links into the recent completed Grafton Gully-Upper Queen Street shared path, the North Western Cycleway via Ian Mackinnon Drive and the New Zealand Transport Agency/ AT and AC project to construct a pedestrian and cycle bridge off Canada Street to a repurposed Nelsen Street off ramp shared path and linking into the North-South (Nelson St) cycle route.

AT Walking and Cycling Projects

The Karangahape Road Plan 2014-2044 aspirations

9. The plan identifies six key moves to guide how the area could respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the area. The key moves that relate most to this project include;
Key Move 3 – Provide safe and convenient connections in and through the Karangahape Road area:

a) focus on pedestrian safety as a priority, including pedestrian crossing improvements and more space and priority given to pedestrians

b) focus on cycle safety as a priority, with improved cycle facilities along key routes, including the provision for cycle lanes

c) investigate opportunities for speed reduction and traffic calming measures

d) investigate and undertake improvements to pedestrian and cycle connections to the City Centre and neighbouring suburbs such as Newton, Grafton, Ponsonby and the Universities and Arch Hill by supporting the current PT infrastructure through a positive public realm, and planning ahead for the introduction of the rail network

e) supporting new connections to restore a grid layout and reduce dead-end streets such as between Cross and East Streets

f) improve management and location of taxi ranks in the area, including signage and operational times

Karangahape Rd Plan Map 8: Movement

Land use changes as a result of large scale transport projects

10. The City Rail Link (CRL) project plans to establish two new station entrances at K Rd. These two entrances will be located either side of K Rd at Beresford Square and at the junction of Cross Road and Mercury Lane. The CRL project is planning to deliver one of these stations on day one of operation with future proofing to build a further station entrance upon further funding and increased ridership. In the peak hours this station could reach 3700 patrons per hour, based on growth forecast modelling.

11. There are a number of development opportunity areas identified firstly within the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) and in further detail within the Karangahape Road Plan. The Karangahape Road Land Use and Transport Projects visual (see attachment 2) show all the known transport projects occurring around the Karangahape Road project area and the potential development areas. The CCMP estimates that the commercial net floor area will increase by 46,000m2 and the residential net floor area will increase by 77,000m2. This trend has started to occur with a number of new buildings and residential conversions especially along the Hopetoun Road ridgeline.

12. The other major public transport project being presently investigated is Light Rail Transit (LRT), which includes a route along Queen Street with a proposed station on the junction of Queen Street and K Rd. The timing and funding for the LRT has yet to be confirmed. Liaison with the LRT project team will be undertaken throughout the life of the project.

13. There is starting to be more evidence that protected bike lanes are boosting economic growth. The United States - PeopleforBikes and Alliance for Biking & Walking commissioned a report titled ‘Protected Bike Lanes Mean Business’ which expanded on the four benefits of protected bike lanes. These were;

· Fueling redevelopment to boost real estate value

· Helping companies score talented workers

· Making workers healthier and more productive

· Increasing retail visibility and sales volume

Community support

14. In 2014, Generation Zero and Cycle Action Auckland ran a campaign to promote protected cycle lanes on Karangahape Road. They secured signatures from 100 K Rd businesses and ran a small trial on how the protected cycle lane could work.

15. The Karangahape Road Business Association is supportive of pedestrian and cycle improvements to make the area safer, easier to move through and more attractive. The Waitemata Local Board is supportive of the project and wish to see the project progressed in a consultative and constructive manner.

16. The project team recognises that working closely with these groups and the K Rd community to enhance the pedestrian amenity and public realm associated with the new cycleway, is going to be key to the success of the project.

17. The project team recognises that working closely with these groups and the K Rd community to enhance the pedestrian amenity and public realm associated with the new cycleway, is going to be key to the success of the project.

Current Cycleway Scheme

18. The scheme options developed as part of the feasibility report for AT Walking and Cycling indicates a protected one way cycle lane on both sides of the road. The cycle lanes are 1.6-1.8 m in width with a 1 m wide separation for the majority of the route. In the current scheme parking adjacent to the kerb has been transferred to off-peak parking in the vehicle lane, with priority bus lane during morning and evening peak times.

Example of preliminary cycleway scheme cross section

19. In the development of the project, engagement and feedback will be sought from all partners and stakeholders to align the design with the collective aspirations and required outcomes for the area.

Proposed Approach

20. It is important to note that this project is not proposing a full streetscape upgrade. The Karangahape Road Streetscape Upgrade was completed in December 2006. This project seeks to compliment that upgrade with targeted public realm enhancement and pedestrian priority initiatives that are sensitive to the distinctive nature of K Rd.

21. A small engagement has recently been commissioned about what public realm enhancements could be explored to enhance the current AT cycleway proposal. This is to inform the final scope of what could be achieved for the indicative budget and what benefits would be derived.

22. An initial internal design workshop has revealed a number of proposed additions to the current cycling proposal. These are summarised below;

a) investigation of all the intersections to give greater pedestrian priority, visibility and access such as introduction of ‘barnes dance’ option, removal of free left hand turn lanes, curb build out or raised courtesy crossing

b) investigation into lowering the speed limit

c) identifying areas where possible that the pavement can be extended for extra public realm, street furniture and landscaping

d) ensuring there are clear demarcation and safe passage to walking and cycling connections in locations such as East Street, Upper Queen Street and Symonds Street.

23. From that workshop the following draft objectives for any enhancements to the cycleway project have been developed:

i. Celebrate the character of Karangahape Road

ii. Integrate, compliment, enhance and extend the existing public realm

iii. Ensure cyclists are fully catered for along Karangahape Road including the provision of separated cycle facilities (by AT)

iv. Protect public transport movements and facilities (by AT)

v. Retain adequate traffic movement (by AT)

vi. Integrate and respond to the built form and activities along Karangahape Road

vii. The project will also attempt to address a number of other issues including taxi parking and the amount of pedestrian accidents occurring after dark.

24. The project will also attempt to address a number of other issues including taxi parking and the amount of pedestrian accidents occurring after dark.

Funding

25. At the June 2014 meeting, the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board considered projects in the Auckland City Centre that could be funded from unallocated City Centre targeted rate. At the meeting there was support in principle for funding to be allocated for pedestrian improvements along Karangahape Road.

26. Additional $5m of funding to support the AT cycling allocation of $2.5m is requested for this collaborative project with $250,000 allocated within the 2015/16 financial year to enable the design stage to progress. It is proposed that the final detailed scope is brought back to the Board prior to confirmation of the balance ($4,750,000) of funding.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

27. The Waitemata Local Board (WLB) has been made aware of the proposal and indicated support in delivering against the objectives of the K Rd plan. The WLB will be fully engaged on the project scope and outcomes following the approval of this funding from the ACCAB.

Māori impact statement

28. Mana whenua will be engaged at the earliest possible stage of the design process.

Implementation

29. The project is proposed to be delivered under an Auckland Council / Auckland Transport streetscape model of governance. The project sponsors are Tim Watts (City Centre Design and Delivery Manager) for the public realm and Katherine King (AT Walking and Cycling Manager).

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	The Karangahape Road Land Use and Transport Projects visual	47

Signatories

Author

Gavin Flynn – Senior Project Leader, Auckland Design Office - Auckland Council

Authorisers

Tim Watts – City Centre Design and Delivery Manager, Auckland Design Office - Auckland Council

Andrew Guthrie – Programme Director - City Centre Integration

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

24 June 2015

Nelson Street Cycleway Amenity Enhancements

File No.: CP2015/12351

Purpose

1. To provide the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (ACCAB) with information on the proposed amenity upgrades to:

· the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)-led Nelson Street Off-ramp Cycleway project, and

· the Auckland Transport (AT)-led Nelson Street Cycleway project.

2. To seek endorsement of targeted rate funding for the proposed cycleway amenity upgrades.

Executive Summary

3. The combined Nelson Street cycleway projects (redundant motorway off-ramp and street) will enable more people to make the shift to cycling as a means of transport. This will help them escape the congestion – and mean that they are not adding to it.

4. NZTA, who are managing the physical works for the repurposing of the redundant motorway off-ramp, are significantly advanced with the project with works currently underway. They have identified an expected completion date of late October 2015.

5. AT’s component of the project runs from the Nelson/Union St intersection to Quay Street. Phase 1 will be completed at the same time as the Nelson St Off-Ramp project, while Phase 2 will be completed by June 2016.

6. Amenity improvements for the Nelson Street cycleway are not currently included within the scope of the NZTA or AT works, and require additional funding. The improvements will ensure that the completed cycleway provides an exceptional quality addition to Auckland’s urban infrastructure.

7. The scope of proposed amenity improvements is expected to include the use of surface treatments (e.g. super graphics); street furniture; additional planting or gateway treatments at entry/exits of the route; and potential minor works around the periphery/additional connections.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) endorse the scope of the proposed Nelson Street Cycleway amenity improvements

b) endorse allocation of up to $2M of city centre targeted rate funding in 2015/16 for the design and implementation of amenity upgrades to the Nelson St cycleway, over and above the base cycleway funding provided by NZTA and Auckland Transport.

Comments

Background

8. “Move 7: City to the Villages” of the City Centre Masterplan aims to connect the city centre with its suburbs in the city fringe. The vision aims to achieve this through improving pedestrian and cycle journey’s to make them more pleasant, providing generous pedestrian and cycle connections which cross the motorway network, taking advantage of the high views. Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and NZTA have collaborated on a series of projects to implement the vision of a city wide cycle and pedestrian network, and the Nelson Street cycleway programme plays an important part in this.

9. The objectives of the project are to:

· Strategically align with intent of the City Centre Masterplan;

· Celebrate the reuse of redundant infrastructure (Nelson St Off-ramp);

· Create an engaging, inviting and exciting environment for pedestrians and cyclists;

· Celebrate the Nelson Street project as a significant milestone in the development of the cycle network for Auckland.

· Create an urban design statement celebrating Auckland

10. For the purpose of this paper, the Nelson Street Cycleway project has been defined into two sections, described as follows:

· Section 1 - Led by NZTA; connects Upper Queen Street to Nelson Street by repurposing the now redundant motorway off-ramp, and construction of a new bridge from Canada St to the off-ramp.

· Section 2 - Led by Auckland Transport, begins where Section 1 ends at the intersection of Nelson Street and Union Street. It is being developed in two phases. Phase 1 extends down Nelson Street to Victoria Street West (refer attachment 1), and Phase 2 from Victoria Street West to Quay Street.

11. The Nelson Street off-ramp (Section 1) was a key project identified in the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) and provides an essential link for the cycle network for Auckland and the City Centre. The CCMP envisaged potential interventions from a linear park, akin to the High Line in New York, or a significant art treatment alongside pedestrian and cycle access. The proposed improvements provide an initial step change towards the ultimate vision.

12. NZTA modifications to the off-ramp are largely functional and include new lighting for cyclists, signal upgrades, footpath/cycling improvements at both ends, and safety barriers along the length of the ramp.

13. NZTA has committed approx. $11M to Section 1, and are significantly advanced in the project planning with initial works currently underway, and an expected completion date of late October 2015.

14. The Nelson Street cycleway (Section 2) project comprises a separated cycle-path from the top of Nelson Street to Quay Street. Phase 1 is due to be completed by AT and opened at the same time as Section 1. AT has committed approx. $3M to this phase.

Discussion

15. Auckland Council is currently working with the project stakeholders, including NZTA, AT, Auckland Motorway Alliance, local iwi and the public to identify a set of design parameters which will be used to refine the amenity improvements project scope and develop concept and detailed designs.

16. Auckland Council – in partnership with NZTA, Auckland Transport and Cycle Action Auckland – has run an online survey on options for the surface design of the Nelson St off-ramp. By the time of the ACCAB meeting, the survey will have closed, but at the time of writing this report, the number of responses was already well in excess of the 400 that had been targeted (at around 650). The most popular responses called for the design to be modern and distinctly New Zealand. Detailed results will be available at the meeting.

17. An initial budget of $2m has been identified for proposed amenity improvements to supplement the NZTA and AT scopes of work in the 2015/16 financial year. The amenity improvements budget will be used to enhance the quality of the cycle route, celebrate the reuse of redundant infrastructure, and be aligned with the intent of the CCMP.

18. While some amenity improvements could occur post opening of the cycleway, it would be ideal to have all works completed to gain full impact at the opening and reduce any further disruption once the cycleway is open.

Scope

19. The aim of the project is to incorporate a simple but bold urban design gesture into the project. This is in part to fit within a very tight programme and site restrictions but is also seen as an appropriate response in the context of the urban motorway environment that is highly visible and capable of being appreciated from above i.e. Hopetoun Bridge.

20. A design team has been commissioned and is currently investigating the technical and time parameters for the project. This work will be completed by the end of the June enabling confirmation of the scope of works that can be integrated within the NZTA and AT projects.

21. The scope of the project does not include the functional elements of the cycleway which are provided by NZTA and AT.

Nelson Street Off-ramp (Section 1) Scope Opportunities

22. The Nelson Street Off-ramp is over 600m in length and 7m+ wide. The location is illustrated on the map attached.

23. The scope is to provide amenity improvements and/or art interventions. Potential elements may include:

· Artistic treatment of surfaces (e.g. super graphics to road surface and/or side panels);

· Street furniture;

· Additional landscape or gateway treatments at entry/exits of the route; and/or

· Minor works around the periphery/additional connections

Nelson Street Cycleway (Section 2) Scope Opportunities

24. The Nelson Street Cycleway project area is illustrated in the attached map. It runs down Nelson Street from the Nelson/Union Street intersection to Quay Street. Phase 1 will be completed at the same time as the off-ramp section, finishes at the intersection with Victoria Street West. Phase 2 will continue the rest of the way to Quay Street, and will be completed by June 2016.

25. The potential scope is limited for this section and may include:

· appropriate design elements from the off-ramp to be brought into Nelson Street to tie the projects together, such as a surface treatment;

· Drinking fountain(s) and additional cycle amenities;

· Lighting interventions, such as the lighting of balustrades and handrails;

· Street furniture and planter boxes.

Funding

26. The initial cost estimate for the amenity improvements is $1.5m to $2m. The cost estimate will be refined following completion of the concept design.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

27. Project team to work with Local Board to refine scope and concept design.

Māori impact statement

28. Iwi will be engaged in the design process via NZTA channels.

Implementation

29. This project will be coordinated through City Centre Integration (CCI) and will be delivered in collaboration with AT, NZTA and Council. Funding and maintenance agreements will be put in place for the project between these parties as required.

30. A design team has been formed with specialist input from architects Monk+Mackenzie and LandLab to produce concept and detailed plans for the amenity enhancements.

31. In partnership with the NZTA, an iwi artist has been appointed to give continuity with the completed Grafton Gulley section of the cycleway, and will work in collaboration with the design team.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Map of Project Areas	53
b View	New Canada Street Cycleway Bridge	55

Signatories

Author	Gyles Bendall - Principal Specialist Urban Design – Auckland Design Office – Auckland Council
Authoriser	Andrew Guthrie – Programme Director – City Centre Integration

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

24 June 2015

City Centre Place Activation Strategy and Funding

File No.: CP2015/12399

Purpose

1. To seek endorsement for the City Centre Place Activation Strategy.

2. To seek targeted rate funds to be used in the delivery of a Place Activation programme as outlined in the City Centre Place Activation Strategy.

Executive Summary

3. A City Centre Place Activation Strategy has been developed by the Auckland Design Office to support Auckland’s vision to become the World’s Most Liveable City.

4. Place activations are activities that stimulate, motivate, invite and encourage site specific vitality and public participation e.g. events, installations, recreational programmes and other activations that attract people to spaces and enhance place experience.

5. The purpose of the strategy is to;

a) provide a platform for facilitating collaborative and meaningful activations that realise City Centre Masterplan aspiration,

b) help off-set the impact on the city centre of the proposed large-scale construction programme by providing positive opportunities for place celebration, interest and increased visitation,

c) enable ongoing positive dialogue with and empowerment of the community in the celebration and transformation of city centre public space,

d) generate pride in place.

6. The strategy recommends a programme of work that promotes place activation as a mechanism for community engagement, city transformation and that off-sets construction disruption by encouraging community-led initiatives and facilitating connection and collaboration between agencies.

7. Auckland Council intend leading the delivery of the City Centre Place Activation Strategy by funding a new City Centre Place Activation Programme Leader (PAPL) role within the Auckland Design Office.

8. In April 2015, the ACCAB agreed in principle to fund City Centre Place Activation programme delivery from targeted rate, pending further work with key stakeholders to finalise the strategy, associated programme and delivery budget. This has since been done.

9. A workshop was held with key stakeholders in May 2015 and included representation from City Centre Integration (CCI), Heart of the City, K’Road Business Association (KBA), and Waterfront Auckland. This workshop informed the finalised strategy and programme delivery approach and recommendations within this report.

10. The cost of full programme delivery is estimated to ultimately sit at $900,000 per annum. This report recommends stepped increases to this budget, informed by the likely level of disruption and opportunity within the City Centre, over the next 5 years starting with $600,000 for 2015/16.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) receive and endorse the City Centre Place Activation Strategy 2015 – 2020

b) endorse the allocation of City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR) for City Centre Place Activation programme delivery i.e. to deliver strategy outcomes as follows;

· 2015/16 $600,000

· 2016/17 $750,000

· 2017-2020 $900,000 per annum.

Comments

11. Auckland Council’s city centre strategies, the City Centre Masterplan and Waterfront Plan, articulate a clear vision for how the city centre will develop to achieve improved social and economic performance, and inform the City Centre urban development programmes.

12. Urban development programmes are already underway, with significant public and private construction taking place over the next five years as demonstrated in Fig 1 below:

Figure 1: Map of City Centre Projects

13. Auckland Council has recognised that the construction programme planned over coming years has the potential to disrupt the way in which people currently use and enjoy the city centre. Place Activation is an internationally recognised approach to inviting businesses and community into the city transformation process, maintaining and developing pride in place and ensuring ongoing visitation.

14. A dedicated City Centre Activation Programme Leader role has been established within the City Centre Design Unit of the Auckland Council Design Office. The role is intended to generate activation within the city centre, and in doing so create meaningful and attractive place experiences that reflect the needs of the people that inhabit them, reflect the unique character of the area and invite visitation and interest.

15. A City Centre Place Activation Strategy has been developed to enable the City Centre Activation Programme Leader to deliver Place Activation outcomes with maximum benefit to City Centre business and residents and the wider Auckland community and economy.

16. The Strategy has been developed with input from Heart of the City, K’Rd Business Association, Waterfront Auckland, Regional Facilities Auckland, the Waitemata Local Board and Auckland Council Community Development Arts and Culture and informed by a series of trial initiatives e.g. Auckland Anniversary Weekend’s Lower Queen Plaza and Thursdays on O’Connell activations.

Strategy Objectives

17. The City Centre Place Activation strategy has three core objectives.

i. To facilitate the development of specific place propositions (in the context of existing place-based investment plans).

ii. To promote and enable a place activation programme that engages, empowers and mobilises the community in celebrating and evolving distinctive places, fostering a sense of community pride, and supporting the local economy over a time of potentially significant disruption.

iii. To harness and complement existing strategic delivery initiatives and associated resources, and make maximum use of existing programmes, projects and talents.

Strategic Outcomes

18. City Centre Place Activation Strategy proposes a deliberate programme of work that will incentivise collaboration, empower and support the community (i.e. interested businesses, organisations and groups), in the delivery of activation and enhance pride in and connection to Auckland City Centre places.

Outcome 1: “Encourage Others”. Establish channels that engage the community with place activation and encourage “organic” place-making in communities.

Outcome 2: “Champion the approach”. Foster an understanding in the community and throughout the council group of the value and opportunity from place activation.

Outcome 3: “Build a collaborative approach”. Ensure high participation by subject matter experts in frameworks and forums that harness, enable, compliment and value existing place-activation groups and associated initiatives. Building a united sense of excitement and purpose and securing the delivery of best value for money (both operationally and strategically).

Outcome 4: “Focus on public spaces”. Facilitation of place activations that enhance the experience of public places through engaging and distinctive activities that celebrate place character (now and as intended), encourage visitation and stimulate community engagement.

Outcome 5: “Do it well”. Ensuring that Auckland’s City Centre is internationally known for its place activation approach.

Strategy Programme

19. Programme deliverables/actions, to be led by Auckland Design Office resource (the Place Activation Programme Leader), have been developed to ensure that the strategic objectives and outcomes are met. Actions are as follows:

i. Empower local communities to celebrate place: Identify place activation zones and appoint Place Activation Facilitators to work with communities in zones.

ii. Develop Place Propositions: Work with the community to articulate the distinct character their place.

iii. Incentivise collaboration and enhance place activation capability: Facilitate engagement with and between existing place activation providers and reward collaboration.

iv. Fund: Invest in Place Activation Initiatives generated by others through a Place Activation Partnership Fund.

v. Tool kit: Build a free kit of resources to be used by the community to activate places (gear and guidelines).

vi. Cut Red Tape: Work with the Council Group to enable Place Activation by reducing regulation and process.

vii. Develop and manage an e-office: Create an engaging e-office that is the central portal to city centre place activation.

viii. Support aligned programmes: Inform and support the targeted rate funded City Centre Interventions and Pilots Programme (CIPP) and other city centre transformation programmes.

20. An in depth explanation of each action is provided within the City Centre Place Activation Strategy (Attachment A).

Budget

21. From 2017/18 onwards an allocation of $900,000 per annum operational expenditure budget is proposed from the CCTR to deliver the city centre activation programme as outlined in the strategy.

22. For clarity, this budget is in addition to the Capital Interventions and Pilots Programme (CIPP) budget previously approved by the Board.

23. It is acknowledged that the delivery of an activation programme is a new and untested approach and that there is a lack of existing benchmark from which to measure success. It is therefore proposed that programme funding is stepped from 2015/16 ($600,000), to 2016/17 ($750,000) to enable Council to grow a programme of delivery and to review programme success. Refer the city centre works programme illustrated in the Stepped Place Activation Programme Funding Schematic Figure 2 below:

24. Under this approach, funding for 2015/16 programme delivery would be $600,000. Of this amount, $200,000 will be invested directly into new Place Activation initiatives (Place Activation Partnership Fund refer 19.iv) with the remaining $400,000 used to fund the remainder of the proposed actions.

25. Annual Budget breakdown is as outlined in table 1 below.

Table 1. City Centre Place Activation Programme Budget Breakdown

Ref	Outcome description	Expenditure	Cost p.a.
1	Established channels that engage the community with place activation and encourage “organic” place-making in communities.	Appoint place activation facilitators	$120,00
1		E-office design, development, maintenance.	$10,000
2	An understanding in the community and throughout the organisation of the value and opportunity from place activation.	Develop place propositions (estimate 1-2 propositions per year)	$40,000
2		Promote initiatives and programme	$50,000
3	High participation by subject matter experts in frameworks & forum to harness, enable, compliment and value existing place-activation groups & associated initiatives. a united sense of excitement & purpose and delivery of best value for money.	Place activation partnership fund year 1	$200,000
		Place activation partnership fund year 2	$350,000
		Place activation partnership fund years 3-5	$500,000
		Building place activation capability and servicing collaborative framework including CCPA forum.	$50,000
4	Facilitation of place activations that enhance the experience of public places through engaging and distinctive activities that celebrate place character, visitation & stimulate community engagement	Tool kit, equipment and policy development	$50,000
		Reducing regulatory barriers	$20,000
		Rewards and recognition programme	$30,000
5	Auckland’s City Centre’s environment is internationally known for its place activation approach.	Research and evaluation	$30,000
Total budget year 1			$600,000
*Total budget year 2*			*$750,000*
*Total Annual budget years 3-5*			*$900,000*

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

26. The Waitemata Local Board has received a presentation via Workshop on the City Centre Place Activation Strategy and were invited to attend the key stakeholder workshop. The Local Board has expressed support for objectives and outcomes.

Māori impact statement

27. The City Centre Place Activation Programme will provide a platform for the place-specific celebration of culture and heritage, with iwi engagement.

Implementation

28. Following ACCAB endorsement of the strategy and funding, the Auckland Design Office will commence recruitment of a City Centre Place Activation Programme leader, who will commence delivery of the City Centre Place Activation Programme as per table 2 below.

29. The ACCAB will receive regular updates on programme progress as part of the monthly City Centre Integration Progress Update, and through an annual City Centre Place Activation Strategy Progress report.

Table 2. City Centre Place Activation Programme

Ref	Outcome	Ref	Action	Delivery
1.	Established channels that engage the community with place activation and encourage “organic” place-making in communities.	i.	Identify place activation zones and appoint place activation facilitators.	1 January 2016
		ii.	Develop a Place Activation web-based portal/office to receive ideas, to share news and to promote activations and activation agencies.	1 January 2016
		iii.	Develop Place Activation toolkit to enable and support place activation providers.	1 April 2016
		iv.	Develop a rewards and recognition programme to recognise and promote independent place activation initiatives.	1 July 2016
2.	An understanding in the community and throughout the organisation of the value and opportunity from place activation.	i.	Deliver a public communications programme that links and promotes activation initiatives across the region.	1 July 2016
2.		ii.	Select two places and develop 2 Precinct Place Propositions informed by existing place-plans and frameworks in consultation with Place-partners (precinct businesses, resident groups, key user groups)	1 July 2016
3.	High participation by subject matter experts in frameworks and forum that harness, enable, compliment and value existing place-activation groups and associated initiatives. A united sense of excitement and purpose and delivery of best value for money.	i.	Establish City Centre Place Activators forum	1 August 2015
		ii.	Identify and fund opportunities to up-skill City Centre activation agencies in place-activation and create sense of team.	1 January 2016
		iii.	Inform and support other programmes e.g. CCIP programme	Commence 1 July 2015
		iv.	Co-fund or seed activation initiatives in the City Centre public spaces that reflect place propositions and align to CCMP aspirations to the value of $200k.	Commence 1 July 2015
4.	Facilitation of place activations that enhance the experience of public places through engaging and distinctive activities that celebrate place character, encourage visitation and stimulate community engagement	i.	Identify and address physical, policy and process barriers to place activation.	Commence 1 July 2015
		ii.	Assist agencies to develop, gain permissions and consents and deliver place activation initiatives, both in public spaces or positively impacting public spaces including CCIPP Programme initiatives.	Commence 1 July 2015
		iii.	Develop a rewards and recognition programme to recognise and promote independent place activation initiatives.	1 July 2016
5.	Auckland’s City Centre’s environment is internationally known for its place activation approach.	i.	Develop a Place Activation evaluation programme to measure success and capture lessons.	1 January 2016
		ii.	Deliver annual Place activation evaluation programme	1 July 2016
		iii.	Identify national and international opportunities to tell the Auckland Place Activation Story.	1 April 2016

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	City Centre Place Activation Strategy	65

Signatories

Author	Tim Watts - Manager Built Environment
Authoriser	Andrew Guthrie – Programme Director – City Centre Integration

Chairperson	Dr Lucy Baragwanath	University of Auckland
Deputy Chairperson	Kate Healy	Ngati Whatua o Orakei Corporate Limited
Members	Dick Ayres	Member, CBD Residents Advisory Group
	Mayor Len Brown, JP	Auckland Council
	Shale Chambers	Chair Waitemata Local Board
	Tim Coffey	Member, CBD Residents Advisory Group
	John Coop	Warren and Mahoney, NZ Institute of Architects
	Jillian de Beer	de Beer Marketing & Communications
	Barbara Holloway	Karangahape Road Business Association
	Andrea Hutchins	Property Council of NZ
	Mike Lee	Councillor, Auckland Council
	Nigel Murphy	Auckland University of Technology
	David Wright	Heart of the City

Author	Tam White - Democracy Advisor
Authoriser	Andrew Guthrie – Programme Director – City Centre Integration

Author	Barbara Holloway – Town Manager, Business Association
Authoriser	Andrew Guthrie – Programme Director – City Centre Integration