24 July 2014

Broadway Placemaking Project – first initiative about to get underway

In early August work will start on the first Broadway Placemaking Project initiative. Four trees will be removed around Broadway’s main pedestrian crossing between Downtown and The Regent to make way for the initiative.

The Palmerston North City Council’s 2014/15 Annual Plan includes a Placemaking revitalisation of Broadway programme with a budget of $50,000. A public information session was held in April followed by a workshop which was attended by business owners, retailers and members of the public.

Policy Planner (Urban Design) Jennifer Esterman says the group came together to consider how to improve the vitality of the street by reclaiming the space outside their stores.

The sessions were led by David Engwicht of Creative Communities, who is the brains behind Council’s successful Placemaking initiatives in recent years.

Jennifer says this is the first initiative that has come out of the project. “It’s exciting, it’s about creating a space for people to stop, meet and hang out with others.”

The space around the pedestrian crossing is likely to include large pot plants and outdoor seating – this work will be carried out later in the year.

“We’re calling it a demo-pod, it will show what is possible and hopefully inspire other initiatives in Broadway,” says Jennifer.

Posters detailing the project, including notification of the removal of four trees, either side of the pedestrian crossing will be erected tomorrow.

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