Tuesday June 20, 2006.

Minders of the City’s Soul Launch Unique Property Development Competition.

The Auckland City Mission and St Matthew-in-the-City has launched a competition for ideas to develop a prime city block between Hobson and Federal Streets.

Auckland City Missioner, Diane Robertson, says the partners have launched an ideas competition to seek unique proposals for developing the site to provide low cost housing, social services, facilities for the church and at the same time other income generating activities.

“This is a first for New Zealand or Australia to look at a development that will mix providing social services with other uses that can generate income,” she says.

Diane Robertson says the project is about more than bricks and mortar. The project will create a better neighbourhood for all, and include those who live on the margins of our society. “It will be a place to gather, a place for service; practical and spiritual, and other uses to enhance the CBD.”

St Matthew-in-the-City Vicar, Glynn Cardy, says the uses being envisioned go well beyond the physical needs of the two landholders.

He says the dream also involves more green space, residential units, and potentially retail, office, entertainment and community and cultural use space.
The project has the backing of Auckland City Council, the Anglican Diocese of Auckland, the ASB Trust, Housing NZ, and the Committee for Auckland.

The “Mission in the City” Ideas Competition is being managed for the partners by the Committee for Auckland. Stage One will select three teams as finalists who will each be given $15,000.00 to further develop their concept.

Chair, Sir Ron Carter, says the partners seek ideas from multidisciplinary teams.

“We’re not after a standard engineering, developer or architectural response. Entrants will need to mix design ideas with community and social service provision needs in a creative blend,” he says.

The 4,355m2 site runs from Hobson Street through to Federal Street, with St Matthew-in-the-City adjacent bordering Wellesley Street and includes two character homes fronting onto Federal Street.

ENDS

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