Editorial: Potential there to build on

Tauranga is a great place to live.

Tauranga has so much potential. It could be such a vibrant place.

I love living here. It is a great place but I struggle to feel any kind of connection to this city.

I have spoken to several people about this, some who have lived here for long periods of time and some who have only been here about a year, and many agree that the city is lacking a sense of community. We don't seem to band together for any cause and there is this 'us versus them' mentality.

Last week I mentioned a friend of mine was getting itchy feet because she felt there was nothing to do in Tauranga. She struggles with the fact that after 5pm the place is often deserted.

On Saturday we reported a prime chunk of Tauranga's central city was up for sale and developers were already eyeing up the commercial block as the future site of a five-star hotel.

I know this is a topic that is discussed continually, but it would be great to have something like this to bring some vitality to the city centre.

The 2449sq m property on the corner of Spring and Durham streets is marked for total redevelopment or expansion.

It has the potential to transform the look of the heart of Tauranga, city leaders say.

The site is one of the biggest land and building packages in the central city, with a rateable valuation of $5.46 million.

City leaders have welcomed the news, saying the development would add immense value.

The hotel option would boost employment in the region and attract more people into the city heart, they said.

The new commercial development could mean great things for the city, but it isn't just developers who are trying to rejuvenate the town.

The team at Tauranga Mainstreet are trying to drum up support and get everyone involved in bringing the central city to life.

In neighbouring city Rotorua, the district council has established an Inner City Revitalisation Strategy, to bring businesses, upgrade services and create new events for the city. Business leaders and locals are getting behind the project.

Over the years our city council has been challenged to come up with a similar concept. Everyone talks about the need to revitalise our central city, but it is something we all need to be involved in and get behind.