HWCP Management Limited counsel Vanessa Hamm spoke yesterday on the last day of a resource consent hearing for the company, which plans to build a retail precinct in the block bounded by Tay, Dee, Esk and Kelvin Sts.
Ms Hamm said they would try to minimise the disruption and impact on businesses within the CBD.
She said they had the support of "the most directly affected" retailers - The Neighbouring Business Group, which represents 26 businesses close to the development.
"HWCP will create a $20,000 fund per annum from the start [of demolition] until the anchor tenant is open."
Ms Hamm also said during this period, they would provide containers and food trucks to affected retailers.
HWCP director Geoffrey Thomson said the costs of the activation would be separate from the funding.
He said they also plan to promote "some art" during the construction period - painting the walls and creating viewing areas which would allow residents to see "what is happening on the site".
Mr Thomson said they wanted the anchor retailer, the general retail area, the food court and the car park to be completed in three and a half years.
Consultant planner Jonathan Clease also spoke at the hearing and acknowledged the importance of creating a precinct.
He said it was unfair to simply call it a mall.
"It conjures the images of a suburban big box with a car park out in the front."
Mr Clease said, after his first report, that he was more satisfied with the project.
He believed HWCP had created a proposal which respects part of the heritage of Invercargill, but stressed it was also important to follow the council district plan.
Commissioner John Maassen finished by saying he would not completely close the case until the commissioners felt satisfied with all the material presented during the hearing this week.
He said it would be a "demanding" process of evaluation due to the quantity of information and importance of the task.
He did not provide any deadline to the outcome of the consent hearing.
