Auckland City Council
Media release

6 March 2008

Aotea Square redevelopment funding confirmed

Auckland City Council’s Combined Committees yesterday endorsed a revised budget of $80 million for the Aotea Square redevelopment, down from an initial budget of $95 million last year.

The Aotea Square redevelopment involves the repair of the Civic car park roof, an upgrade of Aotea Square and alterations to the entrance of the Aotea Centre.

Chairperson of the council’s Combined Committees, Councillor Doug Armstrong, says savings have been made to ensure that any rates increase is kept at 5.1 per cent, the council’s forecast level of inflation for next year

“We asked officers to find cost savings for ratepayers, while still ensuring that the car park structure meets future needs and the newly designed Aotea Square befits the city’s premier civic space.”

Chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, Councillor Greg Moyle, says savings have been achieved by using a more efficient construction methodology for the Civic car park repair and reducing the scope of work to the front of the Aotea Centre.

“Research by structural engineers has found that we don’t need to take off the entire car park roof to carry out the repair work,” says Mr Moyle.

“Our preferred method involves removing the ground level of Aotea Square in stages and building a new structure over the original roof. This means reduced demolition work and disruption, and allows part of the car park to remain open during the project,” he says.

“Instead of a complete overhaul of the Aotea Centre facade, the proposed work includes reinstating steps that need to be removed during the car park repair, centering the front entrance to the building, and creating a new box office and cafe.”

Mr Moyle says the end result will create a better connection between the Aotea Centre and the redeveloped square, which will be raised by approximately 1m when work is complete.

The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the project’s budget and scope through the council’s draft annual plan, which goes out for consultation from 18 April until 20 May 2008.

People will also have the opportunity to give feedback on elements of the draft design for Aotea Square, during consultation planned in mid-2008.

Construction is expected to start in November 2008 and be finished by September 2010.

Ends

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