The future of the lower Victoria Ave revamp is still unknown after a decision was pushed out further during a steering group meeting on Friday. Photo / Bevan Conley
The future of the lower Victoria Ave revamp is still unknown after a decision was pushed out further during a steering group meeting on Friday. Photo / Bevan Conley
An 11th-hour meeting to make a final call on the future of the lower Victoria Ave regeneration project on Friday was inconclusive, with two councillors making a last-ditch attempt to iron out concerns around the project over the weekend.
The project is set to see a number of outdoor seatingareas, or parklets, installed in place of 10 parking spaces, alongside painted street art inspired by local iwi.
The project is a six-month trial, 90 per cent funded by NZTA/Waka Kotahi, with the remaining 10 per cent coming from Whanganui District Council.
Construction was set to begin this Sunday, with contractors lined up prepped to begin installation of the fixtures but questions still remain over whether The Town Centre Regeneration Project will go ahead with it.
The issue came to a head when last week a joint letter from a group of some local businesses was sent to Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall, citing concerns from the loss of car parking and consultation around the project.
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Ellen Young, project manager for the Town Regeneration Project, denied these claims, and a meeting between affected businesses and the group was held last Wednesday in an attempt to resolve any issues.
At this meeting, the town regeneration group floated an alternative parking facility on unused land at 1 Victoria Ave.
The project is set to see 10 CBD carparks transformed into outdoor seating areas, similar to those seen in this concept drawing. Photo / Supplied
A subsequent meeting of the full Town Regeneration Steering Group was called for Friday, following Wednesday's meeting with affected stakeholders.
According to the group, the meeting was called to make a final decision, as reported in the Chronicle on Friday. But it's understood that group members made the call to hold off on making a final decision, and instead go back to business owners for a final read of their views.
Whanganui district councillors Kate Joblin and Rob Vinsen were given that task, and invited 16 affected parties to a meeting on Sunday.
But Vinsen confirmed to the Chronicle on Monday that only four people showed up to the meeting, and wouldn't be drawn on what the feelings of those four were.
"The feelings of the meeting were conveyed to the steering group," Vinsen said. "The results of what council has considered will be known on Tuesday."
Leaders of the project met with council chief executive Kym Fell and group manager for regulatory and planning Hamish Lampp on Monday afternoon, where it's understood a final decision was made on the future of the project.
The outcome of that meeting is set to be revealed on Tuesday.
