Reshuffle could see Napier library move to Clive Square

Napier council are investigating moving the library to Clive Square (pictured) or Memorial Square. Photo / File

A reshuffling of Napier City Council civic buildings could have the library relocated to Clive Square.

Last month Hawke's Bay Today revealed a feasibility study had been completed on the possibility of the council facilitating the development of a hotel in the Napier CBD - with council expected to make a decision on this in the next few months.

While several options were being explored, one was for the hotel to be built on the current site of the council civic buildings in Hastings St.

The council offices would then be relocated - potentially into the civic building behind them in Station St, which currently houses the Napier library.

Yesterday Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said the council was investigating whether the current library facility could move to Clive Square or Memorial Square.

"Nothing's set in concrete," he said. "These are decisions that will be made by council but we're looking at the possibility of shifting the library down to the bottom of Emerson St.

"Shifting the library down there will liven up that area, and revitalise that area of Napier."

Clive Square and Memorial Square are located at the bottom of Napier CBD, and are divided by Emerson St.

Clive Square was included in the original 1854 town plan, and currently contains fountains and gardens.

Memorial Square houses a cenotaph commemorating those who died in World War I, as well as council owned community rooms - which have been closed due to structural issues.

Mr Dalton stressed the entire plan was still in its early stages. However it was being considered as moving the facility would leave space in the library building, allowing them to "consolidate the whole of the Napier City Council into the one building".

This would then free up the current council site for other uses - such as a multi-million dollar hotel development.

Council chief executive Wayne Jack has previously said if this plan did eventuate, the council would not pay for the hotel - expected to cost up to $40 million.

The council is currently completing earthquake strengthening assessments on the civic building housing their offices, and it also needed significant renovations.

There was $7.5m budgeted towards renovating this which could be used to relocate the offices.

Boosting tourism and "activating" the Napier CBD were touted as the reasons behind the development.