OLD RAILWAY STATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20743, 10 December 1930, Page 14

OLD RAILWAY STATION.

SCHEME FOR SUBDIVISION.

THE FINANCIAL ASPECT.

HEAVY COST INVOLVED. Tlio fact that the demolition of the old Auckland railway station was begun yesterday revives interest in the scheme for subdividing its very valuablo site for business purposes. Various roadiug plans were under discussion for many months prior to August lust, when virtual agreement was reached on the layout, subject to validating legislation in regard to certain rights-of-way. This legislation was passed just beforo tho close of the Parliamentary session.

The Auckland Harbour Board, as owner of tho sections abutting on tho site and fronting Customs Street East and Quay Street respectively, was a party to the negotiations, and its numerous lessees also came into the matter. The City Council was nioro than usually concorned with tiie subdivision of tho block because it was anxious to arrange for tho extension of Commerce and Gore Strcots across Customs Street East to Quay Street, thus giving two additional routes to and from the waterfront. Tho Commerce Street extension was regarded as particularly important, in view of the proposal to niako an alternativo traffic routo parallel with Queen Street after tho demolition of tho old post oflico building in Shortland Street. Provision o! Streets. Tho plan finally approved by the City Council provides two 66ft. streets across tho block, extending Commerce and Gore Streets as described, and a street of the samo width at right angles, connecting tho Gore Street extension with Broakwater Road. In order to avoid disturbing tho Northern Roller Mills and so to effect a saving of nearly £IOO,OOO, it is proposed to swing the Commerco Street extension a little to tho right. It will then connect with the existing street between tho mills and the Maritime Building.

In order to make the two roadways, it will be necessary for the council to take two adjoining sections in Quay Street, in lino with Gore Street, and including the warehouse of Robertson Brothers, Limited. It will also bp necessary to take 3oft. of land on the eastern sido of tho narrow entry from Customs Street to the station property opposite tho end of Commerce Street. An estimate submitted to the council in June last placed the cost of acquiring these three properties at £41,650 for the land and buildings, without making any allowance for compensation that might bo payable for disturbance of business.

The council does not propose to beat the whole of this expenditure, and the question of what proportion, if any, shall be paid by the Railway Department has yet to bo decided. The council takes the view that the through routes will enhance greatly tho value of the department's sections, when they are offered to the public as sites for warehouses or office-build-ings, and that, therefore, it is only fair that the department should contribute a very substantial sum toward tho cost. Disposing of Property.

So far as the 6treets to be formed on railway property are concerned, all costs must be borne by the department. An agreement has been reached whereby rights-of-way 15ft. wide are to be provided along the back boundaries of the Harbour Board's present sections in Customs and Quay Streets. The City Council has agreed to maintain and light them if they are paved with concrete to its satisfaction before being handed over. The two roadways flanking the chief post office are to bo extended to connect with the first cross-street. This will leave a space available for the extension of the building rearward, and will also preserve the presont back entrance for mail lorries.

It will be seen that, although a plan has been approved, tho financial side of the schemo has not yet been settled. Whether tho Railway Department intends to push on with the subdivision remains to be seen. Since the present is not a good time for putting city business sites upon the market, and in view of the fact that Auckland is temporarily oversupplied with warehouse and offico accommodation, it is more than likely that the department will not try to dispose of the property until tho economic depression has begun to lift.