Isaac Construction is carrying out a geotechnical investigation in George St and surrounding streets in preparation for more extensive redevelopment work.
Replacing water reticulation, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that lies underground is expected to cost $19million and above-ground infrastructure and amenity improvements will cost about $28 million.
The contract for George St redevelopment work, from Albany St to Moray Pl north of the Octagon, was awarded to the O3 Collective - comprising Jasmax, AECOM and Isaac Construction - in mid-2019.
Since then, a design that would have slashed vehicular traffic in George St and brought a much greater pedestrian-friendly emphasis has been revised to a less radical transformation, although Dunedin city councillors favoured one-way traffic instead of the two-way option recommended by urban design consultant Kobus Mentz.
The design would be flexible enough to allow either one-way or two-way traffic.
The Dunedin City Council has been in talks with parties potentially affected by the planned redevelopment.
A $60 million central-city upgrade has been identified as one of the council’s major projects in the next 10 years.
It has, however, been controversial.
At one point, a retailer-led petition attracted more than 6000 signatures in opposition to the council’s plans.
A greater pedestrian focus is regarded with suspicion by councillors such as Lee Vandervis and Carmen Houlahan, and it is feared a one-way George St, in combination with traffic disruption caused by the building of the new Dunedin Hospital, will clog the central city.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins has described a one-way design as the best available option to support safety and public amenity, as well as the most likely to attract external funding.
The council should have an ambitious vision for its city centre, he has said.
A detailed business case for the redevelopment of George St is expected to be completed in late August or early September.
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Comments
I still would have liked to seen George St without vehicles, with enough room to walk without bumping into people on a crowded side walk, crossing to the other side not having to wait for a bus to pass and finally a reduction in vehicle noise reducing stress while shopping.