March 2022 update

A view of the Assembly Hall refit in progress

While much attention has been focused on managing our way through the COVID outbreak, Council has also been planning ahead for when the peak has passed.

We are working hard on how we can roll out exciting event and activation ideas to encourage our community back to the city centre, when it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, work continues on our city centre upgrades and other projects in and around Hastings city.

Municipal Building upgrade progressing well

Things are really shaping up both inside and outside the Municipal Building, which will be reopening later this year.

Hastings city centre outdoor dining and seating upgrades

Now Completed:

• John’s Bakery (Heretaunga 300 West)
• Thompson’s Suits (Heretaunga 300 West)
• Madeleines (Heretaunga 300 West)
• Westerman’s Café (Russell Street South)
• Breakers Restaurant (Heretaunga 100 East)

These projects are enhancements of existing outdoor dining or seating areas, so haven’t used any existing car parking spaces. The design is similar to the improvements made in the Heretaunga East 200 block using similar elements including planter boxes with lime hedges, permanent umbrellas and new paving.  The umbrellas have now all been installed, except outside Breakers, which are awaiting confirmation of new tenants.  

The projects are all components of the City Centre Revitalisation Plan, put together in 2019 in consultation with the business community. Made up of 23 ‘Hastings Alive’ projects, they are designed to encourage people to enjoy our city centre, day and night. 

Coming up: March – June 2022:

• Queen Street East 200: The pavement works on the corner of Karamu Rd and Queen St will commence in the coming months, following the completion of the Hansen development building works
• Heretaunga Street East 300 block: Construction is well underway and on schedule for completion for the opening of the Municipal Buildings later in the year. The design includes new outdoor areas for tenancies in the Municipal Buildings, new lights, trees and planter boxes.
• Pocket Park (corner Heretaunga and Warren) – new public seating area due for completion in coming months.
• Eastbourne Street East 300 block: This street enhancement, scheduled to start in April/May 2022, will complete the Eastbourne Street East street upgrade between Hastings Street and Warren Street. New footpath paving, street lights and rata trees will complete the visual link between the Toitoi Arts and Events Centre and the Hastings Art Gallery and Library.

Activations and Vibrancy

To celebrate Anzac Day this year, a special Poppy Projection light show will be installed, displaying colourful imagery onto the back of the Hastings library in the evenings. This will be taking place from April 19 to 26 – more details to come closer to the time.

Eastbourne pipe work update

Pipes are being laid to link the new Waiaroha water storage and treatment facility, being built on the corner of Hastings St South and Southampton St East, to the existing pipe network.

The last of the major pipe laying work, at the intersection of Eastbourne St and Warren St South, was expected to be completed by Friday, March 11.

The team will then move on to commissioning and testing the new network section. That will involve going back to four points along the network, which have been temporarily sealed to allow easy access.

It is expected that the team will be at each site for two to six days, depending on the site.

The commissioning sites are (with estimated dates):

• Warren St South roundabout (March 15)

• The west side of the Hastings St/Eastbourne St roundabout (March 21)

• The east side of the Hastings St/Eastbourne St roundabout (March 23)

• The Warren St/Eastbourne St roundabout (March 30)

This final work will involve short-term lane closures and traffic management will be advised.

The commissioning work will be followed up by final surfacing and completion work, with the teams expected to be off the city centre streets by April 20.

The pipes being laid will link the new Waiaroha water storage and treatment facility, being built on the corner of Hastings St South and Southampton St East, to the existing pipe network.

Façade enhancement

The Façade Enhancement Scheme financially assists the owners and tenants of eligible buildings to upgrade the façades of their buildings. The aim is to preserve the characteristic heritage of our business areas and to encourage building owners to upgrade façades to improve the look and feel of our commercial areas. Follow the link below for more information and fill out the easy application form to apply for this fund.

www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/hastings/projects/facade-enhancement-scheme/ 

Ongoing activities at Council

Hastings City Art Gallery

Check the Hastings City Art Gallery website for more details.

Hastings District Libraries

Check the Hastings District Libraries website to find out more.

14 March 2022

Back to City Centre Revitalisation