Plans progress for Hastings central business district

The council plans for the Hastings inner city mall include providing cafe tables and chairs, and overhead lighting features. Photo/File

The Hastings District Council has taken another step forward with plans to revitalise the Hastings central business district, yesterday confirming proposals for the inner city mall and agreeing to advance a number of the works scheduled.

A sum of $380,000 had been set aside in the current Vibrancy Fund budget and this would go towards a number of proposed developments in the mall to make it more attractive and user-friendly.

At yesterday's full council meeting, a report from parks planning, services and development management outlined the potential work programme, which included moving and improving the stage, adding tables and chairs, and adding lighting to the area to make it a night feature.

The report said the stage would be moved further into the mall, retaining its roof, but with an extension built on the back to provide a storage area for performers' equipment.
Extra outdoor cafe tables and chairs for shoppers and office workers would be provided and tracks put on street lights on which to hang flags to promote events.

Extra lighting was also being considered to enhance buildings, artworks, trees and other features in the area.

A revised 10-year CBD upgrade programme was adopted in February this year following consultation with the Hastings Business Association, and yesterday councillors also agreed to bring forward plans for Karamu Rd and Eastbourne St (including Railway Rd).

The Karamu Rd upgrade plans were outlined in a report to council and included creating an entranceway to the CBD at the intersection where Kmart was located, to signal that people were entering the city centre.

There were also plans to upgrade the footpath, plant trees, provide seating, shelters, better street lighting and flag poles - the budget for which $878,000.

While this work was planned for the 2017-18 year, funds would be retained for the upgrade to Eastbourne St in the 2018-19 year.

Plans for this area sought to improve the section directly outside the Hastings district courthouse and down Railway Rd as far as Lyndon Rd West and include removing and replacing the bus shelters on Eastbourne St East.

Like Karamu Rd, it would involve improved street lighting, street plantings were possible, extra seating and shade/weather shelters.

Similar upgrades were planned for the other streets in the area around the CBD but would happen over the next seven to eight years.

It was hoped that tenders for the work could be put out in February next year.