Heritage to be restored

Hadleigh Reid in front of the corner building. PICTURE / SUPPLIED

By COUNCILLOR HELEN CRAIG
Three heritage buildings on the corner of Drews Ave and Ridgway St sold at auction recently to a brave heritage enthusiast.

As the only bidder, Hadleigh Reid took a risk but was bolstered by the Heritage building/earthquake strengthening public meeting on Monday, May 28, where a number of speakers provided invaluable information on assistance available to owners of heritage earthquake-prone buildings.

Others at the auction talked of demolishing those buildings, but Hadleigh believes that restoration is possible and economically viable and hopes a mix of retail/office and apartment living will mean these buildings will be fully occupied.

The Council-initiated public meeting on Monday May 28 heard from Mike Frew of the funds available from the Government Heritage EQUIP fund for up to 50 per cent of earthquake strengthening costs plus WDC Planner Hamish Lampp talked of Council funds to support facade restoration.
The engineering knowledge for earthquake strengthening is now well developed and is available from EQSTRUC, BPL and Miyamoto who also presented on their projects in New Zealand and overseas.

Whanganui has developers well versed in restoration projects, including DML who recently completed the award-winning strengthening and restoration of Kerry Girdwood's Kitchens Building in the Bridge Block.

Whanganui has excellent heritage architects such as Bruce Dickson and the knowledge to undertake strengthening and restoration both inside Whanganui District Council and via members of the Earthquake Prone Buildings Community Taskforce.

Council is supporting many Town Centre Regeneration initiatives.
Led by Ellen Young who presented on projects aimed at energising the life of the town centre, these initiatives will activate the CBD and help provide the vibrancy needed to make tenancies and investment attractive.

With the tools now available to private building owners, and more initiatives to come, I hope we will see more brave building investors taking the commitment to restore and develop.

Hadleigh, a Whanganui District Councillor, owns and has restored the old Cosmopolitan building, next door to the three he has just purchased, from which he runs his dental practice.

If you require more information on the support available and processes to follow to ensure the best outcome for your project, please contact Cr Helen Craig, architect Bruce Dickson or WDC Senior Planner Hamish Lampp.