The $3.6 million upgrade to the south and south-west quadrants was scheduled to start in July and take 18 weeks to complete. However, it is now expected to start before the end of next month.
The delay to the completion of the Spark building on the south side of the square has held up the improvements.
City council capital delivery and major facilities manager Alistair Pearson said it is working closely with Spark and it is expected to start the improvements to the square before the end of next month.
The Spark building was scheduled to be completed in September but is now estimated to be finished early next year.
“The base build construction programme has taken longer than originally planned. Spark is working with the landlord to progress the build for completion in early 2020,” a Spark spokeswoman said.
The upgrades to the square will involve re-levelling the ground, re-laying paving, installing additional lighting and introducing more landscaping to soften the environment. Where possible, the existing materials will be recycled.
A report on the state of the square said the earthquakes and subsequent demolition of many of the buildings around its fringes had left parts of it worn down and no longer fit for purpose.
It also stated within the south-east quadrant of the square, 40 per cent of the existing paving was damaged and current lighting levels created a sense of unease at night.
The aim is to create more inviting, inclusive and event-ready spaces.
“The earthquakes and the subsequent demolition of many of the buildings around the Square have taken their toll and left this important civic space in need of work,’’Mr Pearson said.
“With new private developments nearing completion, it is time we upgraded the square and made it a more welcoming and inviting space for our residents and our visitors.’’
