Totally Georgeous: Revamp plans unveiled

Detailed designs for a revamp of Dunedin’s main shopping street feature bespoke paving, a cultural narrative and space for people to dine.

It is hoped the upgrade will make George St more welcoming and that it will be positive for businesses in the decades ahead.

The Dunedin City Council unveiled plans yesterday for George St and nearby streets in the central city after it engaged in a collaborative design process with mana whenua.

Central city project plan director Dr Glen Hazelton said the streetscape would reflect the uniqueness of Otepoti, its history and diverse cultural elements.

Part of the thinking was to create spaces where, post-Covid-19, people would feel comfortable coming together again.

Just over $28 million is being spent on the upgrade.

The colour palette was influenced by maka (barracouta), kereru and a shade of red seen at Otakou Marae.

Shimmering silvers of the fish and flashes of blue as it moved through the water provided inspiration for colour accents.

A design report said the shape of paving units was authentic to Dunedin and traditional patterns on Otakou Marae windows would also be referenced.

The executive summary for the report to be discussed today at the council’s planning and environment committee commented George St had a rich colonial heritage represented by beautiful facades that lined the street.

"The design seeks to showcase and enhance the richness of the beautiful heritage assets by allowing the public to explore the street out beyond the awnings where a better view is enabled."

There is to be a nod to Dunedin’s status as a Unesco City of Literature with phrases from writers such as Janet Frame and Hone Tuwhare.

"Put together, the different elements outlined in the developed designs will improve the safety, accessibility and amenity of the area, and help to create a vibrant, compelling destination where people will want to spend time and money," Dr Hazelton said.

Three blocks in the upgrade will each have their own themes.

Public art could be prevalent in the Farmers block.

Outdoor entertainment could be catered for in the Golden Centre block and people could get their "golden Instagram moment" there, Dr Hazelton said.

He described the New Edinburgh Way block as like an urban lounge for trade, exchange and kai.

Consulting firm Aukaha was contracted to work on behalf of mana whenua through the George St capital works project.

Aukaha mana whenua advisory panel member Megan Potiki said it was paramount for Maori to recognise themselves and feel welcome in Dunedin’s city centre.

Council chief executive Sandy Graham said the designs reflected effort to have a genuine partnership with mana whenua.

They would transform George St into a modern and vibrant environment, she said.

Cr Steve Walker commented on social media he supported such things as putting people first, greening the city, making George St a more attractive place to visit and incorporating Ngai Tahu cultural values into the project.

Cr Carmen Houlahan said many businesses were on the brink and major disruptions with infrastructure work, combined with Covid-19 restrictions, could push them over it.

She called for a marketing campaign to support the central business district.

"Other cities have acknowledged the impact working from home is having on their CBD and they are financially supporting businesses," she said.

"We need to do the same."

Dunedin city councillors voted in September for a one-way George St between Frederick St and Moray Pl and for the traffic to flow north to south.

One issue raised then and explored since was whether the road could realistically be made capable of sustaining two-way traffic, just in case one-way traffic did not work out.

Dr Hazelton said that could have imposed an additional cost of between $7 million and $8 million.

That would have put the project well outside its budget constraints.

Some works have been carried out in the area since late last year.

The central city upgrade was driven by the need to replace old infrastructure under ground. This also created a chance to adjust the look of the central city above ground.

Construction work is to start in George St after Easter, beginning with the Farmers block.

The central city revamp is due to be completed in 2024.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz