Rotorua Chamber of Commerce is conditionally supportive of suggestions Rotorua District Council purchase the Returned Services Association building.
The RSA is considering a prospective site along Te Ngae Rd.
The police are planning the refurbishment of their current building and, I understand, expressed an interest in the RSA building. This could
open up opportunities for land on the current police station site. I have heard the Justice Department would not be averse to moving the District Court if relocation to an acceptable, similar facility was at minimal cost.
I would share the concern expressed by several councillors about the RSA building possibly becoming an extension to council offices.
The trend for local authorities is to reduce their commercial footprint. Buying the RSA building for council expansion would send the wrong message to an over-burdened ratepayer.
However, I would support the purchase if it was a bridging strategy for a better police and justice facility.
I have long been a strong advocate for moving the district court away from its present site in Tutanekai St. Groups around the court are often antisocial and threatening to others using that area.
Two alternatives have been put forward for developing the Lakefront - both creating a closer connection with the central business district and Tutanekai St.
But the allocation of community resources to achieve this could be wasted, unless we address the anti-social and threatening environment created by the current district court location.
The court land and building are prime real estate in the heart of the CBD - in the centre of the restaurant and entertainment area, within walking distance of the Lakefront and an easy walking distance from the shops.
What a great site for a tourist development or a new hotel for the city.
The difference between the selling price of the current courthouse property and the purchase cost of an alternative could contribute to building a new customised justice facility. I also see considerable security and transport advantages in having the court adjacent to the prisoner holding facility.
It is not often all the ducks are in a row like this to facilitate a development offering both social and economic advantage. How long would we have to wait for such an opportunity to come along again?
I applaud the council for requesting further investigation of this option. Let's hope we have a positive result.
- Roger Gordon is chief executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce
