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Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
29 November
2017
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City Centre
Update for the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board - to 17 November 2017
File No.: CP2017/24558
Purpose
1. To receive a progress update on City Centre projects and initiatives
to 17 November 2017.
Executive
summary
2. This report provides a high-level overview of progress on projects
and initiatives in the City Centre, including:
· programming
activities
· operations
· delivery
projects.
3. For
physical project delivery, a coloured bar shows the three stages of
development:
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 Feasibility /
Investigation
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Design /
Consultation
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Construction
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An
arrow highlights the current stage of
the project.
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Recommendation
That the Auckland City Centre
Advisory Board:
a) receive
the City Centre Update Report to 17 November 2017.
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Comments
Programming
Overall City Centre Planning
4. A ‘light touch’ refresh of the City Centre Masterplan
will be undertaken in 2018. A programme for this work will be presented to the
Auckland City Centre Advisory Board early 2018.
5. Decisions on the location and funding for the America’s Cup
infrastructure and a go/no-go for the Queens Wharf Dolphin will be made at the
23 November 2017 Governing Body meeting.
6. The Downtown programme of works is progressing, with critical design
work around the Quay Street seawall underway.
Wynyard Quarter and Central
Wharves
7. At its 13 November 2017 workshop, the Governing Body was presented
with five infrastructure options for hosting the America’s Cup. These
options are outlined here: http://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2017/11/five-base-options-proposed-for-america-s-cup/. The Governing Body will be asked to approve a team base location,
and associated funding requirements for hosting the event, at its 23 November
2017 meeting.
8. At a workshop with councillors on 14 November 2017, the options for
the Queens Wharf Mooring Dolphin were presented, ahead of a decision on
go/no-go to be made at the 23 November 2017 Governing Body meeting.
9. Associated infrastructure, such as the Te Wero Island public realm
improvements and the new Wynyard Crossing were also discussed in the context of
America’s Cup, and will form part of the funding decision that will need
to be made through the Long-term Plan 2018-2028 process.
Downtown
10. As part of the 13 November 2017 workshop on the America’s Cup,
the Downtown programme of works was identified as critical work that needs to
occur in the downtown precinct within the next three years in order to facilitate
a successful America’s Cup. This work includes:
· the upgrade of the
Quay Street seawall
· the Quay Street
upgrade and public realm enhancements
· the new downtown
public space
· Phase 1 of the ferry
terminal reconfiguration
· the Britomart East
bus interchange.
11. The additional funding requirements to facilitate this programme of
works will also be considered through the Long-term Plan process, as part of
the funding decision around the America’s Cup.
12. Critical design elements related to the Quay Street seawall upgrades
are underway to facilitate the implementation of the overall programme of
works. Urban design components of the programme will be commissioned in early
2018.
13. There remains a complex arrangement of interdependencies which the
programme team are working to resolve.
Midtown
14. Auckland Transport is progressing the indicative business case for
the Midtown Bus Project, which includes the streetscape and amenity upgrade for
Wellesley Street.
15. The Auckland Council and Auckland Transport teams are currently
reviewing the project alignment, and phasing of the Victoria Linear Park and
Wellesley Street, with the City Rail Link development.
Learning Quarter
16. Improvement projects (including lighting, CCTV, path upgrades, and
building rehabilitation) in Albert Park are on track for completion in early
2018.
17. Safety issues around the Chris Booth sculpture are being
investigated and improvements will be actioned as part of the Albert Park upgrade.
18. The Learning Quarter Working Group, comprising of representatives
from Auckland Council, Auckland University of Technology, and the University of
Auckland, met on 8 November 2017, and discussions are progressing on joint
initiatives and interventions.
19. Tactical urban initiatives are being planned for St Paul Street, and
public consultation will start by the end of November 2017.
20. Auckland Transport is consulting on workable solutions to address
the parking issue on Alfred Street.
21. Auckland Transport is also considering maintenance on Princes
Street, and improved pedestrian amenity at the junction of Princes and
Shortland Streets.
Homelessness
22. Auckland Council is continuing to develop the regional
cross-sectoral homelessness plan, including early discussions and engagement
with key government agencies.
23. The mayor’s proposal for the 2017-2018 annual budget
prioritised $500,000 to promote collaboration across the council group,
government agencies, charities, businesses and philanthropic groups to address
chronic homelessness. Over the past month, Auckland Council has allocated
funding to:
· The Wise
Group Management Services to provide backbone support to the Housing First
Auckland collective, including the design of a regional ‘by-name’
homelessness count for implementation in 2018
· The
Auckland Rough Sleepers Initiative to support the delivery of the World
Homeless Day event in Aotea Square on 10 October 2017
· The
Council to Homeless Person’s national publication, examining homelessness
from personal, local, social and global perspectives. The November 2017 edition
of Parity focuses on how Aotearoa New Zealand is responding to homelessness. As
well as providing sponsorship support, Auckland Council contributed an article
on the council’s role in addressing homelessness (please see the attached
extract from the publication).
Activate Auckland: Supporting
business
24. Activate Auckland is working with the
Karangahape Road Business Association and Auckland Transport to develop best
practice in development response communications. A development
response strategy and action plan will be delivered to the Karangahape Road project
team by the end of November 2017.
25. Business support packages developed by Activate Auckland have been expanded to include: BusinessPac, a pilot created in partnership with
Mentors NZ, Auckland Chamber of Commerce and City Rail Link Limited. The package
is available to Albert Street businesses, and will soon be offered to
Karangahape Road businesses.
Events
26. Wednesday on Wellesley – A series of musical acts have been
programmed to support Wellesley Street businesses that have been impacted by
the City Rail Link works. The series runs 15 November 2017 to 20 December 2017.
27. Lightpath Festival – The festival will be held on 2
December 2017 from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. Bike Auckland is celebrating two years of
the Lightpath. Activate Auckland is funding a Karangahape Road curator to
develop a programme of activations; working with the local community and
businesses, in partnership with the Karangahape Road Business Association.
Griffiths
Gardens – Pā Rongorongo/Information Hub
28. The Information Hub structure was delivered to site in late
September 2017, and will be fit out and clad over the next few weeks. It is
anticipated that Pā Rongorongo
will be completed and operational in February 2018.
29. A surge in anti-social behavior on the Griffiths Gardens site has
been noted, and safety upgrades are underway to address this. Activate Auckland
is working with the police community constable and City Watch.
For the Love of Bees Project
30. A new poster campaign has been launched in collaboration with
Phantom Billstickers. Philip Kelly designed the new
posters which can be seen around the city. They are sponsored by Phantom
Billstickers and facilitated by Art Director, Kirsty Cameron.
31. For the Love of Bees will be at the Parnell Festival of Roses on 19
November 2017, promoting Griffiths Gardens.
Tactical urban interventions
32. Projects currently underway include:
· Federal Street Shared Space – working with Sky
City
· Federal
Street Contraflow Cycleway – working with Auckland Transport
· St
Paul Street – working with Auckland Transport and the Auckland University
of Technology
· Karangahape
Road – working with Auckland Transport
33. A recently released time-lapse video recording of the transformation
of Lower Queen Street, from city street to urban park over summer 2016/17 can
be viewed on Facebook. Please follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/Activate-Auckland-692414677562107/
City Rail Link
Limited
34. By the middle of December 2017, all fences and hoardings on Albert
Street will be moved off the footpath and onto the road carriageway. Albert
Street will remain in this state for approximately one year while the rail
tunnels are excavated and formed, and the trench backfilled. Excavation is
currently down to a depth of 14 metres and the Wyndham Street end of the
trench. The final depth will be 18 metres.
35. The large shed in the Victoria Street compound is in the process of
being dismantled. Both of the compounds on Victoria Street will be
decommissioned and returned to usable road space by early January 2018.
36. The City Rail Link Street Response Team and Activate Auckland will
continue to deliver a programme of events, activations and business support to
businesses in proximity to the City Rail Link construction site.
37. To date, over 80 businesses in the Albert, Wellesley and Victoria
Streets precinct have been offered BusinessPac, a number have signed up for a
free business mentor and free membership to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.
Aotea Quarter
38. The Aotea Quarter Public Art Guide was launched during Artweek, so
far the response has been positive.
39. The Aotea Quarter Destination Strategy will be finalised by the end
of November 2017. An additional plan (aligning with the Quarter Plan work),
looking at how to ensure the area keeps lively and thriving during the City
Rail Link works, is complete and will be presented to stakeholders in the area
shortly.
40. A reference design for Mayoral Drive, anticipating new development
and the Laneways Circuit linkage into Aotea Square, is in progress.
41. An audit of parking in the Aotea Quarter is
about to start, in collaboration with Auckland Transport.
42. Auckland Transport expects the wayfinding manual to be ready for use
by the end of the year. Aotea Quarter may act as a pilot for the new signage.
City Rail Link Limited and Activate Auckland are working with Auckland
Transport to address temporary wayfinding needs during construction.
Cycle Network
43. Quay Street segment of the Tāmaki Drive Cycleway: Construction had been
delayed due to the resource consent application being notified, following a
hearing on 11 September 2017. The application has now been approved and
resource consent granted. Construction is likely to start in early 2018.
44. Tāmaki Drive cycleway: Based on the
consultation feedback received and on the fact that the Glenn Innes shared path
is going to connect with Tāmaki
Drive on the Ngapipi Road intersection, the design has been reviewed. As a
result, a two-way protected cycleway on the northern side of Tāmaki Drive, between Solent Street and
Ngapipi Bridge, is proposed. A project update was delivered to the public
as part of the consultation for the Glenn Innes Shared Path. Consultation
closed on 8 October 2017, and the project is currently at the end of the
preliminary design phase and will shortly start detailed design.
45. Nelson Street Cycleway: Construction of stage 2 of the Nelson Street
Cycleway, from Victoria Street to Pakenham Street East in Market Place, and
Pitt Street from Beresford Square to Hobson Street, is expected to be completed
by the end of November 2017. The final section to Quay Street is being
delivered as part of Westhaven to the City Stage 2.
46. Westhaven to
City (Stage 1): This section is currently under construction,
with completion expected by the end of November 2017.
47. Westhaven to
City (Stage 2): The preferred option is a
bi-directional cycleway on Market Place, Customs Street West and Lower Hobson Street.
General traffic on the Market Place section would be restricted to one
direction. It will provide a link for people on bikes of all ages and abilities
between the cycleways on Nelson Street and Quay Street. Public consultation
closed on 2 October 2017. Feedback is being reviewed and assessed before the
project is advanced to the design stage.
48. Victoria
Street Cycleway: Detailed design for the Beaumont Street
to Hobson Street section started in July 2017, with construction expected in
2018. This cycleway links to a number of existing and proposed cycle
facilities; including Franklin Road, Victoria Park (through to Wynyard Quarter)
and Nelson Street.
Wynyard Quarter Redevelopment
49. There is no new update this month. Last month’s remains
below, for reference:
50. The Madden Street upgrade was completed on 15 September 2017. This
was part of a larger project encompassing a complete streetscape and
infrastructure upgrade of both Madden and Pakenham Streets. The work was
carried out by Panuku Development Auckland in collaboration with Auckland
Transport, Watercare and Healthy Waters.
51. The Willis Bond residential construction projects for Wynyard Centre
and 132 Halsey Street continue. The first phase of residential apartments, The
Daldy Street Pavilions were completed in September 2017, with residents due to
move into their apartments by the end of this month.
52. The Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct is advancing towards
completion; Precinct Properties at 12 Madden Street are now occupied (part of
the GridAKL initiative launched by Auckland Tourism Events and Economic
Development).
Operations
53. The City Centre Public Art Strategy was workshopped with the
advisory board. A final report is due by the February 2018 board meeting.
54. The project to better monitor pedestrian flow in the City Centre
(Smart Cities) is being developed as a joint project between Auckland Council
and Auckland Transport. Further details will come to the board in due course.
55. We are in the final stages of securing the interface between
Auckland Council consents and Land Information New Zealand’s Forward
Works Viewer platform. This will provide enhanced information on surrounding
works, to anyone working within the road reserve.
56. Monitoring – the Infometrics annual report 2016 is now
publically available and provides information on the economic profile of the
City Centre, including statistics on productivity, jobs, growth, business
numbers and population. Please view at the following link: https://ecoprofile.infometrics.co.nz/Auckland%20City%20Centre%20(3%20CAUs)
Delivery
Lower Queen Street and Albert
Street Reinstatement upgrades
57. The final review report is due on 30 November 2017.
Downtown Public Spaces
58. Forming part of the Downtown Programme of works, the Downtown Public
Spaces project is progressing in conjunction with the other projects in this
area. The reference design and technical risk assessment has been
completed; integration with the seawall project is being discussed by the
programme team and the technical consultants.
59. 
The
project is funded by the sale of Queen Elizabeth Square to Precinct Properties.
Though it is funded separately, it will integrate seamlessly with the plans for
Quay Street and the Ferry Basin.
Britomart Streetscapes
60. Planning is
underway for Stage 3, which includes Tyler Street (Gore Street to Britomart
Place), as well as the remainder of the programme.
61. An update on the
programme delivery will be presented to Auckland City Centre Advisory Board in
due course.
SkyPath
62. 
There
are no new updates at this stage, further developments will be communicated in
due course.
Myers Park Upgrade –
Stage 2
63. The project review and revised cost estimate has been completed.
64. 
A
workshop will be held for the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board on 29
November 2017.
Karangahape Road Streetscape
Enhancement and Cycleway
65. Two workshops have been held with the Karangahape Road Reference
Group, providing invaluable feedback to the design team in relations to the
character and stories of Karangahape Road.
66. Resource consent lodgement is planned for November 2017.
67. 
The
project will be promoted at the Light Path Festival on 2 December 2017.
Poynton Terrace
68. Public consultation has begun with nearby land owners and affected
parties. This is due for completion before Christmas 2017.
69. Mana whenua engagement has commenced, with three iwi having
expressed an interest in the area.
70. Detailed design is currently underway.
71. 
Following
further discussion with Auckland Transport, the crossing will not be formalised
at this point.
Federal Street upgrade –
Stage 2
72. Public consultation on the concept design is planned to open on 20
November 2017 and close on 10 December 2017.
Hobson and
Nelson Street upgrade
73. Discussions are still in progress between Auckland Council and the
New Zealand International Convention Centre in relation to the Hobson Street
streetscape and the Convention Centre’s frontage.
74. Pre-feasibility investigations are in progress and are anticipated
to be completed by the end of 2017.
Beach Road
Maori Artwork
75. 
Installation
of the five bronze sculptures has been postponed while Auckland Council works
through some broader issues with mana whenua. A further update will be provided
in due course.
O’Connell Street Public
Art
76. Developed design of the artwork has been completed, following
confirmation of the attachment points for the artwork with the building owners.
77. Resource consent will be lodged by the end of November 2017.
78. Once consent has been granted, a completion/installation date will
be confirmed. It is expected that this will be by the end of the 2017/2018
financial year.
Freyberg
Place
79. Auckland Transport and Auckland Council are progressing a change to
the status of Freyberg Place to either a pedestrian mall or full road stopping.
Consideration
Local
board views and implications
80. Engagement with the Waitematā Local Board has occurred on all
City Centre projects that are actively progressing. Specific engagement with
the board is included in the project plans for individual projects. The board
is generally supportive of the direction being taken.
Māori
impact statement
81. Monthly hui are being held throughout 2017 with iwi representatives, with
the purpose of seeking mana whenua input into the scoping and design process of
City Centre projects.
Implementation
82. Prior to the implementation of City Centre projects and initiatives,
regular meetings and workshops are held with many stakeholders including the
Waitematā Local Board, Heart of the City, Karangahape Road Business
Association, Learning Quarter stakeholders, iwi, Council Controlled
Organisations and the appropriate Auckland Council committee(s).
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇩ 
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Parity: Auckland Council's Role in addressing
homelessness
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15
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Signatories
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Author
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Emma Taylor - Development Programmes Lead
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Authoriser
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Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and
Environmental Services
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