"We propose Zespri purchases the whole Maunganui Rd site and creates a world-class development which meets the needs of the kiwifruit community and the local community too."
Mr Chisholm said there were many options such as an industry hub where associated business could locate their offices.
"We would also be open to including community facilities such as public green space, meeting rooms, a cafe, gardens, childcare centre, council services, library and gym."
Extensive parking would be included in the development.
Mr Chisholm described the proposal as a "high-level concept", telling the Bay of Plenty Times that Zespri wanted to be in control of its own destiny.
"This is about keeping our options open for the site ..." Asked if Zespri would look at vesting community facilities like a library back to the council, Mr Chisholm said when it came to understanding how they would structure the development, they needed to get past the first hurdle of the council agreeing to divest the property.
It would then become part of commercial decisions for the site.
Former Mount Maunganui Borough Council mayor Wayne Moultrie said there had been a deliberate incremental destruction of a public reserve bought, paid for and maintained by the residents of Mount Maunganui. If Zespri needed more space, other options were open to them like the former Mount Cosmopolitan Club site or the Trustpower complex in Truman Lane, he said.
'Don't make a decision your kids will regret'
A 9-year-old girl pleaded with the Tauranga City Council to consider future generations when the fate of a prime block of land on Maunganui Rd is decided.
"Please don't make a decision your children and their children will regret," Talitha McEwan told councillors yesterday.
She was one 17 people who fronted up in person to support their written submissions on controversial redevelopment options for the 1.6ha block that features Mount Maunganui's library and Plunket Preschool, a park used by Little Big Markets and Zespri's head office.
The overwhelming majority of the 196 submitters want to keep the green space as well as the library and preschool, but there were mixed opinions about Zespri's future on the site. Talitha echoed many views when she said: "Please consider future generations because when it's gone, it's gone."
She said Zespri had to be close to the port and should stay, Plunket helped little kids and the library was important not just because of its books but it did crafts, story times and people could meet famous authors.
Talitha was also a supporter of the Little Big Market, saying it had "awesome crafts, yummy food and live music".
A Year 8 Mount College student Drew Haskett also picked up on public sentiment against the council selling the land in order to repay debt.
