City Centre update - May 2023

Inner city living moves a step closer

The resource consent to demolish and redevelop the site at 206 Queen Street and 223 Heretaunga Street West has been granted by an independent hearing commissioner.

Once home to the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Co-operative Association, and more recently Briscoes, the council-owned buildings have been vacant for some time, but now a whole new transformation is envisaged to breathe life into this area – creating quality apartment inner city living, extra carparks, a pedestrian laneway connecting to Heretaunga St, and a pocket park, with additional space for two commercial tenancies.

It’s part of the vision to create more inner city green spaces, enhancing connections around the city, and showcasing how inner city living can work.

The resource consent will allow for:

• the demolition of two vacant buildings whilst retaining the heritage façade of each;
• the construction of a 3-storey building containing 20 residential apartments at first and second floor levels & two street-level commercial tenancies, with 17 private parking spaces underneath;
• the creation of a mid-block pedestrian laneway;
• improved vehicular service access routes within the block;
• 18 public parking spaces; and
• a new urban green space / park.

The residential component comprises 6 two-bedroom apartments and 14 one-bedroom apartments, each having a front and back external balcony and internal access from the ground floor entry lobby to the private car parks and the park side.

There is a 15-working day appeal period.

Heretaunga House deconstruction

The tender for the deconstruction of Heretaunga House at 300 Lyndon Rd East was awarded to McMahon’s Services NZ Ltd, who began physical works on the site in early May with an expected completion date of late October/early November.

This process involves a ‘soft strip out’ of the internals of the building followed by the formal demolition of the concrete and steel structure. The project is looking to divert 95 per cent of the total materials from the landfill which is a very positive outcome and a large amount of waste that will be not entering the regional waste stream. At this stage, the site will be left as a safe as possible vacant site until such time the future of the site is determined.

The project team are working through a procurement process that will lead to the engagement of an appropriate partner that will ultimately develop the site. This process is targeted to be completed by the end of September.

Hastings City Centre upgrade programme

Streetscape upgrades of Queen Street East and Karamu Road are now complete.

Streetscape upgrade of Eastbourne Street East 300 block – new paving and installation of new lighting and street trees was completed last month.  There is a delay in the completion of the road resurfacing, due to impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on availability of materials and contractors.  It is however hoped that this can be completed in the coming months.

Planning has commenced for the next streetscape upgrade – King Street between Queen and Eastbourne Street.

Planning is also underway for the upgrade of the Mall, the next in the programme of amenity improvements in the Hastings City Revitalisation Programme.    

Façade enhancement

The Rural Equities building at 120 Karamu Rd North has had a new paint job, highlighting the decorative features of this heritage building.

The enhancement was carried out with the support of Council’s Façade Enhancement Scheme, which has contributed to many other buildings getting such upgrades in recent years.

Go to https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/hastings/projects/facade-enhancement-scheme/ for more info on what council support is available to upgrade the exterior of inner city buildings

Matariki - Save the Date

Three days of events will be held to mark Matariki this year including festivities planned for Saturday, July 15, from 6pm to 9pm. It will follow other events taking place at Flaxmere Park on July 6 and Tōmoana Showgrounds on July 14. Details to be confirmed.

Ongoing activities at Council facilities

Toitoi / HB Arts & Events Centre

https://www.toitoivenues.co.nz/whats-on/

Hastings City Art Gallery

Landscapes of Loss: Lisa Chandler – now until 4 Dec

Icebound: Jonathan Kay – 5 Nov – 29 Jan

Urns for Unwanted Limbs and Other Things: Virginia Leonard – 12 Nov – 5 Feb

Waiora: Hemi Macgregor – 17 Dec – 12 Mar

Check the Hastings City Art Gallery website for more details.

Hastings District Libraries

PRIDE 2023, 1 - 17 June at Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North libraries

A free celebration of the LGBT+, Takatāpui and MVPFAFF+ communities across all three libraries, with a variety of events aimed at various age groups. Some registrations required.

https://www.hastingslibraries.co.nz/your-community/programmes/pride/

See www.hastingslibraries.co.nz for more details on events and programmes.

22 May 2023

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