Tauranga Library car park to close, for now

The library car park on Hamilton St will be closed from Monday during demolition of the council administration building. Photo/file

Tauranga Library's car park on Hamilton St will be closed from Monday during demolition of a council administration building.

The car park will remain closed from August 21 until the completion of the demolition, which is expected to be this December.

Tauranga City Council said the demolition of the building will take longer than originally scheduled following the discovery of additional asbestos in the building.

The council is working with contractors to remove the asbestos, in accordance with WorkSafe New Zealand-approved code of practice for the management and removal of asbestos.

The demolition project will impact some bus users.

From August 21, Stop B on Willow St will be relocated around the corner to Wharf St, and the regional bus stop Stop D will be moved further up Wharf St.

Library book drop-off is at the main entrance to the library, which can be accessed from Wharf or Willow streets.

The council's Customer Service Centre and the library will be open normal hours.

Mobility parking in the library car park has been relocated, with two additional mobility spaces added in Masonic Park and one on Durham St near Baycourt.

The council apologises for any inconvenience during this time and appreciates understanding while work is underway.

Once demolition work is complete at Willow St, Little Big Events will be activating the space for the community, the council said.

"This will be in place until investment decisions are made on the future of the space and the site is developed."

As part of the Civic Heart Long Term Plan amendment in September 2016, the council resolved to demolish the administration building as soon as practically possible after finding toxic mould in the building in November 2014.