14 March 2000

Terrace Developments Get Thumbs-Up

A deputation to the City Service Committee yesterday asked that improvements, similar to those made between Cashel Street, and Hereford Street, be carried out from Hereford Street, north to Gloucester Street.

The committee held an emergency meeting so that the matter could be included in the annual plan, now under discussion.

The deputation, led by Justin Prain, asked that the work be completed by October when the busy season started.

Another property owner, Richard Mercer, told the committee that the momentum set in The Strip development should be maintained. It was essential to do so if Christchurch was to compete for tourist dollars against Auckland and Queenstown.

He said further improvements would provide a vibrant city and the improvements would bring more jobs.

The committee decided against making improvements from Gloucester Street to Victoria Square but recommended that the scheme between Hereford Street and Gloucester Street go ahead.

It was also decided that rentals be charged at the same level paid by property owners in the present Strip. This would realise about $45,000 a year.

The committee’s chairman, Denis O’Rourke, said people were always asking when spending would stop in Oxford Terrace and start elsewhere. Improvements were to be made in Colombo Street, he said.

The Mayor, Garry Moore, said the Council had a "social conscious" to go ahead in Oxford Terrace and Cr. O’Rourke said rentals or direct contributions were possible.