Optimism from major developments

Press, 28 November 1979, Page 9

Optimism from major developments

There is optimism in the face of major developments at Kaiapoi, after a down turn in local progress and economy during the last four years or so.

The general feeling of change and rising prospects has led to die celebration of a carnival time this week as the start of the Christmas season. A major step is the completion of a new shopping block at the intersection of Charles and Williams Streets.

A building with a number of shops on this site was destroyed by fire in 1976. Actually, the question of redevelopment of the site, which also had been a harbour office that had reverted to the borough council when it took over the functions of the Waimakariri Harbour Board, had been raised at various times since 1968, or even earlier. Shortly before the fire, it had been decided the maximum remaining life of the old building would be two years.

On the night of the fire, the harbour committee was meeting with a town planning consultant’s report on general development of the site on the agenda. As it eventuated, the fire added pressure to long term planning, but the new building has been completed at the time in view four years ago. The developer was Industrial Holdings, Ltd, whose own architects did the design. The 750 sq n> building of concrete precast slabs, was started by Moorcom Construction. Ltd, in April and completed almost to the exact day due. There is parking provision for ten cars on the site and a cash contribution from the developer has met the balance of the requirement. A public car park is nearby in Charles Street and new angled parking in front of the adjacent post office caters for nine cars.

Extensive landscaping within the scheme has given an air of spaciousness. The Williams Street frontageisbeing vested as

street and a wide walkway extends around the frontages of the shops. A rear service lane is provideo for additional parking and servicing of the businesses.

The council has contributed $20,500 from its National Roads Board maintenance programme for the upgrading of Charles and Williams Streets and footpaths. Separate titles are still being finalised for the seven shops. The site will be on a 90-year lease, with the council having the right to purchase the building at an arbitrated figure after 60 years. As its reserves contribution, the council has obtained Ministerial consent tor the vesting of harbour reserves west of the wharf access road as a local purpose reserve.

The council has contributed $39,000 to the project from the Hansen Building Replacement Account, to retain air space with right or supports. This first floor has been proposed ror a new public library, but no decision has been made yet on when it might proceed.