'Terrific value’ in remodelled centre

Press, 27 April 1983, Page 7

'Terrific value’ in remodelled centre

Remodelling plans for the Riccarton shopping centre will be released by the Riccarton Borough Council next month.

“Something of terrific value to the people of Riccarton,” would be seen in the plans, the Mayor of Riccarton, Mr R. W. J. Harrington, told last evening’s council meeting. People would be very proud of the results of the plan, he said.

Closing Rotherham Street to traffic and encouraging the use of Blenheim Road to decrease congestion on Riccarton Road were among earlier suggestions to improve the shopping centre.

A planning consultant, Mr P. T. McComb, last year suggested a $461,000 remodelling of the shopping centre aimed at giving it “style.” Mr McComb said development of the area would probably increase the turnover of local businesses at least 10 per cent. A three-year improvement

plan could attract Government subsidy and assistance from neighbouring local authorities.

A traffic and parking study prepared by Mr McComb’s firm was accepted as a framework for future development. The council has since been drawing up detailed plans. These would be finalised for release next month, said Mr Harrington. Workshop site Young disabled persons have a site for a training workshop. Permission was granted for the CanterburyWest Coast branch of the Crippled Children Society to convert a Kilmarnock Street house.

The Society wants to run a pilot employment training scheme catering for up to six disabled persons, aimed at young people needing work skills.

Light assembly, packaging, and sewing will be the main activities at the workshop.

Releasing a decision made in private meeting, the council said that although the house was in the residential zone the activity would not detract from neighbouring housing.

The council decided that a new application would have to be made if the society wished to continue with its training centre after 1984.

In its application for consent for a specified departure from the District Scheme, the society asked for approval of its pilot scheme for 12 months.

It would be seeking permanent premises elsewhere, if the trial proved a success. An undertaking by the society to improve the property’s appearance has been accepted by the council. It wants the site landscaped and existing buildings repainted within six months.

A driveway will also have to be built to the satisfaction of the Borough Engineer, Mr W. E. Leatham.