The change in design created a variation to the overall project cost of $72,000, which resulted in the final actual cost of the Green Corridor being $442,000."
Rotorua Lakes Council Inner City Portfolio leader and councillor Karen Hunt said the cost over-run was due to moving carparks up against the Green Corridor in Haupapa St as opposed to using the parking bays. She said this was at the suggestion of business owners.
Meanwhile, Kiwi Spirit bar owner Ross Swenson told the Rotorua Daily Post he would close his Hinemoa St bar on Tuesday and will reopen in the old Grumpy Mole/Heaven & Hell nightclub premises on Arawa St, where there was no Green Corridor.
Mr Swenson said the Green Corridor had removed much-needed car parks from outside his business and that, coupled with lower drink-driving limits, had killed his bar and food business, where he also ran 18 pokie machines.
"They left my customers nowhere to park. I've had no problems for 18 years, and now this."
He said for his takeaway business alone he had seen a 50 per cent drop off in trade as a result.
"We used to do about $1000 a night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Now we're lucky to get $500 on a really good night. My customers told me they did not want to walk a few blocks, so they went elsewhere."
He said he didn't want to move.
Ms Hunt said it was too early to make knee-jerk decisions about the Green Corridor, with two major cycling events - the Rotorua Bike Festival and Crankworx - being staged in Rotorua in the new year.
She said Mr Swenson's decision to move could prove to be a winner for him.
"There are a couple of issues here. The corridor has only been open for a month or so and business decisions like his are made for a number of reasons.
"If you are part of the night-time economy, like Ross is, the Arawa St to Eat Streat precinct is the place to be. "It's not only the Green Corridor that anyone makes a decision on."
Ms Hunt said with regard to safety concerns she had heard of people slowing down or stopping for people crossing roads on the green-painted strips, but that could be a good thing.
Mayor Steve Chadwick wished Mr Swenson good luck with his new location.
"The New Zealand Recreation Association spoke yesterday on the value of cycleways at the Local Government of New Zealand rural and provincial meeting. . . Adaptation to change is slow but other types of businesses will move into vacant precincts."
Rotorua's Sulphur City Steam Rollers roller derby team, who lobbied the council to allow skaters back into the city, said members were using the Green Corridor but there were some problems.
Spokeswoman Layla Robinson said some members had been harassed for using it.
"Rotorua's not Wall St, there are not thousands of people walking down the streets. Some of our girls have been told off by members of the public who don't know who is allowed to actually use it, thinking it's just for bikers and walkers. "I think more signage is needed, but it's definitely a summer thing . . . word needs to grow and I'm sure it will become far more popular."
Green Corridor
- Work started mid June
- Officially opened October 8
- Runs from Hinemaru St through the city to Kuirau Park linking existing cycleways from the Redwoods to Ngongotaha
- Is designed for cyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, mobility scooters and walkers
- Original budget: $397,000- NZTA $227,000, Rotorua Lakes Council $170,000
- Final cost: $442,000-NZTA $227,000, Rotorua Lakes Council $215,000
