A NEW STREET.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19805, 18 December 1929, Page 10

A NEW STREET.

PROPOSAL BEFORE CITY COUNCIL. APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL. A proposal to construct n new street between* Gloucester and Armagh streets, on the site at present occupied by the old Colosseum building, particulars of which were recently given in The Phess, came before the City Council last night in the form of a report from the Town Planning, Housing, and Health Committee. "It is suggested," stated the report, "that the proposed street should be 40 feet wide, with a 28ft roadway and two 6ft footways. The promoters of th*> scheme propose to erect forty two-storey lock-up shops fronting on the new street, the elevation of which is shown on a plan laid on the table. This new street would be formed in permanent materials and in the opinion of the committee will Herve to divert traffic from Manchester or Colombo streets. "It is therefore recommended that application be made to the Public Works Department for its approval of the laying-out of the street." Cr. J. A. Flesher advised the Council to pause before it went any further with this proposal 'T don't see why we should not insist on the same width as in residential areas," he said. "Otherwise it will be like tho--p little streets in Melbourne, such as Little Collins street and Little Bourke street.'' Cr. M. TC. Lyons remarked that it was a rather broad matter of policy. This was something right in the heart of the City, and be hoped the Council would hesitate. A Streert; or an Arcade? "I hope shall pass the clause and send it up to the Public Works Department, because 1 would not like to take the responsibility of preventing further opening between Manchester and Colombo streets," said'Cr. K. H. Andrews. "If you don't huve that, you will have just an ordinary arcade which cannot be compared with such a street as this would be." Cr. F. H. Cooke said that the feeling of the committee was that it was too early to express an opinion. It wanted more mature consideration. There was no need at present for another forty shops in the City, particularly when fliey were getting an area that was unhygienic. Cr. A. W. Beaven said that overwide streets were adding very considerably to the cost of land. Cr. W. Williamson said that Inunderstood that if this did not go through the .syndicate was going to apply for permission to erect shops and to have simplv an arcade. Ho thought a street was better than that. This street would never be a main street, but would relieve the congestion in Colomlxi street. The Mayor: I take it the Council has the right to prohibit buildings above a certain height. The clause was adopted by twelve votes to four.