Council unveils concept for Aotea Square

8 July 2008

Auckland City Council is inviting all interested media to attend an Aotea Square design briefing on Wednesday, 9 July in the lead up to the start of public consultation.

The council will give a visual presentation of the draft design for the redevelopment of Aotea Square. There will also be a question and answer session with council representatives, including Councillor Greg Moyle, chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, Ludo Campbell-Reid, group manager Urban Design, and Jill McPherson, general manager Arts, Community and Recreation.

When: Wednesday, 9 July at 10am
Where: Auckland City Council, Bledisloe Building, Level 8 North, CBD Projects room
RSVP: to Annabel Scaife by 5pm on Tuesday, 8 July (see contact details below)

Plans to re-develop Aotea Square will contribute to the council's vision to enhance Aotea Quarter as the city's cultural heart, civic core and arts and entertainment centre.

The $25 million Aotea Square upgrade is part of a wider project, which involves repairing and strengthening the Civic car park roof, and alterations to the front of the Aotea Centre.

Public consultation will start on Thursday, 10 July and close on Friday, 1 August 2008.

Construction work is expected to start in November 2008 and be finished by October 2010, in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

The project is a key element of the Auckland's CBD Into the Future strategy, a 10-year plan aimed at transforming Auckland's central business district into a first-class centre, attracting a lively mix of arts, cultural and business activity.