In cities around the world, councils and retailers tend to like the sight of construction cranes working in their midst. Standing out against the sky, the T-shaped cranes are a sign that developers are confident about an area’s future.

On the corner of Colombo and Lichfield streets is a building site which is the result of private development and City Council input. The development work ties well into the Central City Strategy, says Council project leader Mark Bachels.

“What you see is an integration of Ballantynes’ development and the Yee development right on the corner, all tied into the Council’s car park further down Lichfield Street.

“By working with everyone involved and using the Central City Strategy, we’re going to get an integrated parking and retail development worth about $12 million,” Mr Bachels says. “The Council’s capital contribution is only a very small part of that.”

When completed, the Council’s Lichfield Street car park will be connected to car parking on the top of the Yee building. It will also mean all retail areas and car parking will be interconnected, which also ties into the Bus Xchange building across Colombo Street and the Triangle Centre, which is soon to begin a major refurbishment.

The Council’s proposal to change Lichfield Street would also add to the transformation taking place in the area, Mr Bachels says.

“I think it shows what the Council can do to catalyse private investment and also represents a vote of confidence in the Central City Strategy and central city revitalisation generally.”