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The man charged with bringing Dunedin’s George St revamp to fruition says he is focused on making the project a "win-win" for everybody.
Dunedin city councillors voted on Tuesday to confirm George St would become a one-way street heading south.
Central city plan project director Dr Glen Hazelton said the redevelopment was a once-in-a-generation opportunity he was determined to make "amazing".
Detractors of the one-way vision for the street had been vocal since Tuesday’s decision, but Dr Hazelton said he wanted to work with all affected parties to get the best result.
"We can all benefit from what’s going to happen here, and it might mean you have to make some compromises along the way, but I think all in all we can deliver a win-win."
He had expected the job would be "a tough gig" when he started earlier this year, having experienced in his role as the council’s heritage policy planner the passion Dunedin residents had for the city.
He wanted to work with business owners to ensure they were comfortable with the change.
Dr Hazelton had already talked to some business owners.
"I contacted them the night of the decision, or the day after, and just said, ‘I understand this is not the decision you were hoping for, but please let’s work together to make this work’."
He was pleasantly surprised some had already responded, albeit saying they would need some time to process the decision.
Dr Hazelton said this willingness to collaborate showed everyone wanted George St to succeed.
Dunedin’s population was growing both in numbers and in diversity, so there was no configuration of the street that would be perfect for every group.
His focus was on a solution that worked broadly for the various users of the street.
He was neutral on the best layout for the street.
Preliminary work would start in London St later this month.
"[Previously] I said I want it to be the most inclusive main street in the country ... it should be the best main street in the country — we have every opportunity to do that now.
"We can do some pretty spectacular things, particularly if we start working together."
An unscientific poll of Otago Daily Times print and online readers found that 30% of readers supported a one-way George St while 70% opposed it.