Whanganui Lights on Bikes returns with a street party to celebrate new arts precinct

Whanganui Lights on Bikes will coincide with a street party in Drews Ave when the Drews Ave arts precinct opens mid-year. Photo / Lewis Gardner

Plans are progressing for two Whanganui projects funded by the Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) Innovating Streets initiative which aims to reduce vehicle speeds and create more space for people in New Zealand cities and towns.

Town Centre Regeneration Project manager Ellen Young told the Whanganui District Council property and community services committee that plans for projects in Drews Ave and lower Victoria Ave have received positive community feedback.

Young secured $385,000 for Drews Ave enhancements and a local architect has developed a design based on feedback.

The Drews Ave group includes residents, business owners, community groups and iwi representatives and they have worked together on the plan.

"Our aim is to develop an area with outdoor seating, greenery and games where locals can mingle and visitors can experience Whanganui's creativity and hospitality," Young said.

The plan includes painted strips on the road, designed by Whanganui artist Cecelia Kumeroa, which will lead visitors through the area, guiding them from one attraction to the next.

A wider public consultation will take place this month and Young said designer Ben Mitchell-Anyon of Patchwork Architecture will then integrate feedback into a detailed design.

"The timeline has extended until June to coincide with Lights on Bikes," Young said.

The Town Centre Regeneration Project is contributing funding to the event and working alongside organisers for the event, which was massively popular in 2019.

"The route for the event this year will be shorter and more condensed spatially, taking participants in a loop from the riverfront through Pākaitore, down Rutland St and along Drews Ave," Young said.

"Roads will be closed in the area to make the event safe."

Young said the Pākaitore Historic Reserve Board had been consulted for permission to incorporate the reserve.

"There are two reasons for the route change - the safety of participants, specifically parents being able to keep track of their children and second, the opportunity to fill the area with performers and decoration to make the experience have more impact."

Young said the route will also enable the event to become part of the official street opening party for the Drews Ave arts precinct.

Waka Kotahi funding of $400,000 has been allocated for the enhancement of lower Victoria Ave and Young said engagement with businesses and building owners has been positive.

"At February's lower Victoria Avenue workshop, stakeholders indicated a desire to rethink the proposed design, Young said.

"We've listened to their feedback and in response to this, we're holding a third workshop in mid to late March where a revised concept drawing will be presented.

"We're looking forward to continuing to collaborate with lower Victoria Avenue stakeholders to come up with a design that aligns with the identity of the space and fits well with businesses in the area."

Data on vehicle and pedestrian behaviours before and after the project implementation is gathered so the success of the project can be measured and modified if required.

Young said both projects will use "tactical urbanism tools" such as roadway and pavement art, semi-permanent seating structures, plants and planter boxes, lighting, interactive artworks, and community connection tools.

The aim is to complete the work by July 2021 and community feedback on the changes will be collected until May 2022.

"This will be used to inform decisions about whether the changes are removed, modified or made permanent."

Artist Dan Mills completed the mural designed by Whanganui artist Jodi Clark in Maria Place. Photo / Bevan Conley

Young said planning for the Whanganui Walls Street Art Festival on March 18-21 was progressing well, with plenty of interest on social media.

Organisers have contingency plans in place if Covid-19 levels should change before the event.

Young said there had been excellent community feedback on the new screen at the tram shed on Taupo Quay.

"The project was completed early January and provides an attractive backdrop for the market and riverfront area," she said.

"A plan for re-doing the concrete at the rear is moving forward. This will be funded through the Tourism Infrastructure Fund."

Councillors discussed the shipping container visible behind the fence, which they said detracts from the appearance of the new fence. Committee chairwoman Helen Craig said the container may be painted black to help it blend into the background.

Councillor Rob Vinsen asked about the adjacent bus shelters on Taupo Quay and expressed concern that there are not enough of them.

The council installed bus shelters last year after numerous complaints that the Wanganui Travel Centre InterCity bus stop in Ridgway St was too far from amenities and the town centre.

Vinsen said he had seen eight people waiting for the InterCity bus without adequate shelter.

Craig said public consultation would be needed to see if the shelters are adequate and Tranzit Intercity should be involved in any discussion about extending the shelters.

Young also reported that the new Maria Place mural designed by Jodi Clark and painted by Dan Mills with help from UCOL students had been well received and the pop-up La Bella Street Food van and activities had been providing a "vibrant and exciting atmosphere" in the space over summer.