The clearing of buildings on the corner of The Strand and McAlister Street is the next step in the strategic site’s use as part of the Whakatāne regeneration programme. Some of the former Wally Sutherland buildings on the site need to be demolished due to health and safety concerns. Others on the site will continue to be tenanted.
Council staff have run a procurement process and appointed a local contractor to carry out this work. The actual start date is not yet confirmed, however it is anticipated the works will be completed by the end of November 2020.
While it is still proposed that the whole site is redeveloped, work needs to be completed to identify the best uses of the site. A community engagement programme which is currently underway will capture ideas that will help to develop a Reference Plan for the CBD.
Council Strategic Property Manager Georgina Fletcher says urban regeneration often involves moving parts of the puzzle to support redevelopment. “The purchase of this land last year was specifically made by Council to enable future redevelopment as part of the Whakatāne regeneration programme,” says Mrs Fletcher.
In the interim, the demolition of the corner buildings will allow this part of the site to be used for car parking to support work on the regeneration projects funded through Crown investment. This includes the Town Centre and Riverfront Promenade engagement process currently underway. More than 50 parking spaces are expected to be created. Demolition will also provide work for contractors as the District recovers from the ongoing economic impacts of Covid-19.
Council purchased the buildings, which were formerly occupied and owned by Mr Wally Sutherland, in July 2019. The land was owned by Council and Mr Sutherland had leased the land for more than sixty years to run his motor vehicle trade business.
The demolition of the corner buildings and reinstatement of the site will also begin a refresh of one of the key entrance points to the town centre. Further redevelopment through the suite of regeneration projects underway will follow in due course.