The proposed new park and mixed inner-city development on the Turners and Growers block east of Madras Street will be a strong showcase for the Central City Strategy.

The City Council’s purchase of the prime site — on the block surrounded by Tuam, Madras, Lichfield, and Barbadoes streets – ties in with almost all the Central City Strategy’s broad aims.

It is on the east-side, will give the east a substantial upgrade in public space, will lead to an increase in people living in the inner city by creating opportunities for residential and business development and is ideal for public-private partnerships.

The Central City Mayoral Forum had recommended that the site be bought by Council to encourage suitable mixed inner-city redevelopment. Council members voted unanimously to buy the 1.75ha site, one of the last under-developed areas in the central city.

There are no fixed plans for the land yet. Over the next year or so, the Council will study concepts and look at what is possible before making any decisions. In the meantime Turners and Growers will lease back the site.

“This land fulfils just about every goal that’s been set in the strategy,” says Mark Bachels, the Council’s Urban Development Policy Leader. “We wanted more open public space in the east, and ideally large scale. It also provides a unique opportunity for public-private partnerships in residential development. This land can provide that.

“Now we get busy to see what’s possible — what sort of park do people want it to be? Is it sports or funky or amusement? Do we want grass? What about water? There’s a lot to consider when you start with a fresh piece of ground,” Mr Bachels says.

A concept put together by architect and forum member Sir Miles Warren to stimulate discussion sets aside a third of the site for a park. His idea is that the remainder be developed as housing and student accommodation and a small amount of commercial space in partnership with the private sector.

The site also gives the Council an opportunity to make sure that all development on the site is eco-friendly and provides a leading edge example of sustainable development.