Auckland's CBD Into the Future

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The Aotea Quarter plan

Auckland's CBD Into the future

Introduction | Vision and principles | Action plan | Aotea Square redevelopment

Action Plan

Auckland City Council adopted the Aotea Quarter plan in 2005. The council indicated it would undertake the following to achieve the vision for the Aotea Quarter:

Provide leadership:

work with others to achieve the vision and implement the quarter plan
lead a regional approach to central government to advocate for the establishment of a national cultural infrastructure fund
develop a funding strategy to implement the quarter plan
establish a taskforce for the implementation of the quarter plan, consisting of representatives of those groups who sign up to the plan.

Work for appropriate cultural and other infrastructure and associated activity:

retain, as a minimum, the current mix of Council-owned cultural infrastructure
retain a baseline mix of council-owned performance venues (sized and types) within the quarter
encourage the retention of non-council owned performance venues which contribute to the overall mix of venues supporting the quarter
work with others to progress the development of an arts precinct at the rear of the town hall
work with Q Theatre Trust to build a 350 seat multi-purpose theatre at the rear of the town hall
undertake a demand study to identify any gaps in theatre provision and recommend how best to meet any shortfalls
deliver, in partnership with others, a good quality programme of activity using the quarter's public spaces as venues
implement the CBD public art development plan as it applies to the Aotea Quarter
implement the CBD Destination Marketing Strategy as it applies to the Aotea Quarter.

Help to develop 'the place:

all development briefs to include Aotea Quarter plan urban design requirements
address safety issues in the quarter
develop a plan for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Aotea Square area
work with others to attract appropriate retail activity into the quarter
complete the following capital works programmes:
- Auckland Art Gallery development
- Auckland Central City Library improvements
- Aotea Square redevelopment
- Lorne Street upgrade (to Wellesley Street)
- Queen Street upgrade
- Khartoum Place upgrade
programme the following streetscape and open space projects into Auckland City Council's capital works programme (presented in priority order)
- Bledisloe walkway upgrade
- Bledisloe/Wellesley Street pocket square upgrade
- A pedestrian link between Queen Street and the town hall arts precinct
- Myers park access to the town hall arts precinct
- Lorne Street upgrade stage two (Wellesely Street to Mayoral Drive)
- Lorne Street and Mayoral Drive intersection small square upgrade
- Airedale Street and Mayoral Drive intersection small square upgrade
- Airedale and Wakefield Streets upgrades
develop a transport strategy for the quarter
initiate any necessary District Plan changes
implement the CBD signage strategy within the Aotea Quarter.

Explore opportunities and possibilities:

work in partnership with Tourism Auckland to determine the best way to provide visitor information within the quarter
progress a decision about a convention centre site
explore opportunities for branding the quarter and raising its profile
investigate appropriate uses for the Greys Ave/Mayoral Drive development site
work with major land owners and occupiers of significant space in the quarter on any redevelopment plans they may have.

We also said we would undertake a five-year review of the action plan in 2009. The review is currently underway.

Updated September 2009