City mall illogical?

Press, 22 July 1980, Page 6

City mall illogical?

Arguments for the development of the Cashel StreetHigh Street pedestrian mall have been condemned as “superficial, piecemeal, and based on assumption.”

Cr Mollie Clark made this assertion at last evening’s meeting of the Christchurch City Council. She said that some of the reasons for the development flew in the face of shopping patterns that had developed in recent years, particularly in the growth of suburban shopping malls., ■- < The council accepted a

recommendation' by Sir. Terence McCombs that the local bsuinessnien’.s association contribute $15,000 towards the first stage of the mall, and that later contributions be negotiated. The association had already agreed to contribute 10 per cent of the $1 million cost. of the development. This money was to have been used in finishing the second stage of the mall. Sir Terence said that if development stopped after Stage 1, the businessmen should have contributed to the cost up to that stage.

The first stage is estimated to cost .$165,000, He warned the council that approval of the mall last evening would not mean an immediate start on construction. There were a number of objections in the council’s district- scheme, and it could be 18 to 20 months before these were cleared, after appeals. Cr Clark said she could agree to the policy and finance'committee’s recommendation for the mall development, but she cautioned that ratepayers might not be happy to meet the cost.