Work to begin on Mount Maunganui's new urban green space

Works at Mount Maunganui's new urban green space development will start on Monday. Photo/File

Work on Mount Maunganui's new urban green space development will begin on Monday.

The development at 123-141 Maunganui Rd is expected to be completed by December 2018.

It will feature grass areas, native trees, a flexible space for events and activities year round, a water feature and a drinking fountain, bike racks and repair station and more.

The site will be fenced off from Monday while the remaining six palm trees are removed and construction of the new space, including stormwater system upgrades, begins.

Six Mount Maunganui schools will decorate the construction fences as part of the Mount Enviro Fest on July 21.

Stay up to date at www.tauranga.govt.nz/urbanspace

THE DEVELOPMENT:

Car parking:

• The final urban space design will retain 14 car parks, including mobility car parks, and four car parks adjacent to the site along Maunganui Rd.

• New car parking spaces have been added in Nikau Cres (25 spaces), Prince Ave (16 spaces) and the May St car park and Shadelands Lane (12 spaces).

• Four temporary spaces have been created for mobility parking near the development.

• May St car park will become a P180 zone, however parking fees won't apply.

Planting:

• A pōhutukawa will be the feature tree of the new space, attracting birds and representing the region's signature coastal tree.

• Eight Phoenix palms will be retained and eight palms will be removed in the centre of the site.

• The removal is also required for the council to replace the stormwater system, which has been damaged by the palm roots.