Councillors voted 12-1 to endorse the preliminary design for a multi-million upgrade of George St this afternoon.
Cr Lee Vandervis voted against the design and Cr Chris Staynes and Mayor Dave Cull were not at the meeting.
Changes include restricting traffic to one-way traveling south between Frederick St and Moray Pl, installing a counter-flow cycle/scooter lane and a paved carriageway between Hanover and St Andrew Sts, where cyclists and pedestrians would have priority over motorists.
Several councillors said praised the transfomative plan and said it would be a game changer for the city.
Cr Vandervis said it was part of the council's "mode change" agenda which aimed to force people out of cars and into buses and the footpaths.
The streetscape upgrade will coincide with a major upgrade of the wastewater network beneath the road which needs to be replaced.
Parklets, native trees and plants, street furniture, public art and smart technology would be placed along the street to make the area a more attractive place to visit.
About 25 parking spaces for mobility card holders, delivery vehicles and drop-offs are included in the plan.
Any further car parking would be considered as part of a proposed car parking study which would be run alongside other studies such as economic assessment and environmental survey.
The design was created using the global street design guide adopted by the council last year, as well as feedback from public engagement workshops and surveys held earlier this year.
A more detailed design, which includes traffic modelling, baseline data collection and the confirmation of an activity plan for area, will be created.
tim.miller@odt.co.nz
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Comments
Very good, a move to a more modern people friendly space. Excuse me while I just get some popcorn and sit back to read the other comments.
For the first and only time I agree with Cr Vandervis.
1. The slow road one way is a total waste of time as New Brighton in Chch can attest.
2. Very few ride bikes and they already have lanes on the one way system.
3. It doesnt account for Dunedin weather which includes bitterly cold winds making footpath dining at times very unpleasant..
My solution would be to change the east/west streets (eg At Andrews) to a combo of 60 or 90deg one side and parallel park other side like Rangiora......that would increase parking by 30%. People need to park near their destination.....thats a given, and businesses dont like a lack of parking. That doesnt mean no planting, street furniture and sheltered cafe areas......just a balance.
Almost a temptation to do a scheme myself and publish it.
Ken Taylor
Designshop Architecture
Well done DCC! Great vision!
Love this vision. Leave George Street to students, those working close & visitors, have cafes, boutique stores etc..I think main shopping should be away from the CBD as in a mall or similar that provides free parking and ease of access. Imagine elderly or young families etc.. needing to shop in town and have to get back to the car (if you found a park) every 30 minutes to move the vehicle or feed the machine! And sorry bus for many at the current cost is not often affordable or appropriate (walker frames, prams and other)