Loan For Parking Building Sought

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29778, 22 March 1962, Page 12

Loan For Parking Building Sought

A “split-level” or “staggered floor” design is proposed by the City Council for an off-street car park building on the corner of Manchester and Gloucester streets. The proposal, estimated to cost £207,000, was approved by the council last evening, when it authorised an investigation of the foundations and an urgent application to the Local Authorities Loans Board for sanction to a loan for the project.

The finance committee reported that from negotiations with the Municipal Electricity Deipartment additional space had been obtained, and an area 242 ft by 140 ft was available, subject to parking space and garage workshop space being made available for use by the MED. Vehicle entrance would be from Manchester street, with the exits on Gloucester street, the committee continued Pedestrian access would be to both streets.

the M.ED. site scheme—the Loans Board would want them. There were off-street parking areas near the block which were not hilly used now. He had some doubt whether the charge needed to make the scheme economic would attract motorists. “We are quite satisfied wi'h the economics,” said Cr. W. P Glue. “I am surprised there is still doubt being expressed about the need for parking buildings.” said Cr. T. D. Flint “The two other mam cities have found them a success, just as they have been successes all over the world.” An open site let on a weekly basis bore no comparison with tiie multstoreyed building envisaged, Cr. Flint said. “It is a great pity Wat when we do get round to doing something in Christchurch someone raises a doubt” said Cr. Smith. “What is different about Christchurch’" The land was owned by the people of Christchurch and if ever there was a scheme that could be economic this was it, he added There could be no doubts of the need for the building, he said Auckland had three buildings and another one contemplated. In the early stages some money would be lost, but in time it would pay "decent dividends”

The building would accommodate 370 cars for public parking The M E.D requirements were met by providing an area sufficient for about 50 cars as well as • garage workshop covering an area equivalent to 20 spaces To the cost of £207.000 there would need to be added £lO,OOO for professional fees for the final and detail design work. Foundation investigations could be put in hand almost immediately at a cost of up to £3OO Others Planned

“I would be most disappointed If some committee in Wellington turned down a loan for this work, as we know best what is wanted tn our city,” said Cr H G Hay “We don’t want to see the heart of out city stagnate, and we may be wanting to put up a building every year or two in other places.” Experience overseas had shown that car parking buildings could be made self-sup-porting. and there was no reason why that should not be the case in Christchurch. The council authorised Crs H. P. Smith and Hay to keep in touch with the Christchurch Transport Board on a proposal for a parking building on the board's property in Cathedra! square. “But that is a year or two off.” Cr. Hay commented.

Cr. G. D. Griffiths said there should be more information on the economics of