[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[rhino]

Clearly my comment was tongue-in-cheek / I was being stupid

[crawf]

I would happily sign that petition, those mature trees need to stay. They provide lots of greenery and shelter from the sun.

Don't get me wrong I'm glad Rundle Mall is getting a modern revamp. However there is no reason why those older mature trees can't stay, with new trees added. Plus, I still have some doubts about this central clearance in the mall. Eg, removal of some kiosks.

[mattblack]

I personally cant believe we're having a debate about cutting down some trees ......... Which are getting more than replaced !!! For goodness sake. Public consultation has finished, Council has signed off, project started. Its like an echo; Cant have a tramline extension look how many trees we have to cut down, Adelaide oval - the avenue of half dead trees are more important than a $500m project, Victoria Square - cant wait till they start felling those trees in a few weeks time ......... oh the humanity! Time for this inane debate to be consigned to Adelaide Now. NEXT PLEASE.

[pushbutton]

Exactly. No city would ever grow or improve if no trees were ever cut down, and those in Rundle Mall are only just a few trees. It's not like a forest is being removed, which would merit a bit of debate.

I still say a mall like Rundle should have some trees, but they should be ones that add something to the aesthetic appeal of the mall. The ones in Rundle Mall currently are very plain and ordinary. Boring. But then again it is only Adelaide and not many people in Adelaide seem to want it to be exciting.

[Ben]

The ones in Rundle Mall currently are very plain and ordinary. Boring. But then again it is only Adelaide and not many people in Adelaide seem to want it to be exciting.

Those comments aren't warranted or appreciated on this site.

[Mants]

I still say a mall like Rundle should have some trees, but they should be ones that add something to the aesthetic appeal of the mall. The ones in Rundle Mall currently are very plain and ordinary. Boring. But then again it is only Adelaide and not many people in Adelaide seem to want it to be exciting.

what rubbish! have you left the house lately? it's not as if we're in the midst of the largest arts festival in the southern hemisphere or anything.

[Hooligan]

Exactly. No city would ever grow or improve if no trees were ever cut down, and those in Rundle Mall are only just a few trees. It's not like a forest is being removed, which would merit a bit of debate.

I still say a mall like Rundle should have some trees, but they should be ones that add something to the aesthetic appeal of the mall. The ones in Rundle Mall currently are very plain and ordinary. Boring. But then again it is only Adelaide and not many people in Adelaide seem to want it to be exciting.

Should build a theme park in Rundle mall.

[pushbutton]

I am not having a go at anyone. I am however entitled to my opinion. My opinion is Adelaide has massive potential to be a great place to live and visit. Unfortunately it's largely unfulfilled potential.

Only my opinion. I respect others may have different ones. Please respect mine.

If only opinions that match yours are wanted or appreciated on this site then there'd be little point in this site as everyone would just be agreeing with each other!

[claybro]

I am not having a go at anyone. I am however entitled to my opinion. My opinion is Adelaide has massive potential to be a great place to live and visit. Unfortunately it's largely unfulfilled potential.

Completely agree pushbutton. We seem to wear our resistance to change like a badge of honour. Some are even quietly proud that other states laugh at us, like it proves there is some point of difference we should be proud of. It is an embarrasment really and if your comments put someone out well dont let that put you off.Lively debate is healthy. Like they say as in the Batman movie "this town needs an enima!"

[Mants]

sorry to disagree, but i don't think making claims that minimal people in Adelaide want it to be exciting can be considered "lively debate". it can only be seen as a negative, throwaway comment.

throughout the 80s, 90s and early 00s we saw an exodus of the younger generation to "exciting" places (Melbourne, Sydney, etc.)
taking into consideration costs of living, house and rental prices and transport woes (both here and interstate), more people are living at home longer to save money as it is more economically viable.
there has been a shift in recent years supporting local business, local produce, and subsequently local jobs. it's a catchword that has the "midas touch" effect and something which the younger generations of South Australians have embraced. more young people are giving small business a go, it is much easier to establish a niche market here as opposed to the larger cities on the eastern seaboard because it is more difficult to get exposure in a city several times the size.

i challenge you to find anybody between the ages of 18-30 who want to live in the dull city which Adelaide is apparently perceived to be. if we continue to encourage the old trend, then nothing will ever change. but young people are excited, believe me. there is always some degree of hype surrounding a new development, a new shop or restaurant opening, a new bar or a new creative space.

and that brings me to the redevelopment of Rundle Mall. i don't necessarily love what they're doing... but i do like that they're doing something. i like that it encourages people to challenge the idea that "nothing ever changes here", i like that the plans allow plenty of space for pop up venues, street performers and public art. i like that the redevelopment is focused on both embracing our history and not allowing it to stand in the way of progress.

perhaps people will agree with me, perhaps they wont. but the Adelaide which i live in seems to be quite different to the Adelaide which others do.

[Shahkar]

but young people are excited, believe me. there is always some degree of hype surrounding a new development, a new shop or restaurant opening, a new bar or a new creative space.

Bang on.

[crawf]

Some people need to go back and look at the Adelaide five years ago, and look at the Adelaide now. Things have already changed alot.

I still say a mall like Rundle should have some trees, but they should be ones that add something to the aesthetic appeal of the mall. The ones in Rundle Mall currently are very plain and ordinary. Boring. But then again it is only Adelaide and not many people in Adelaide seem to want it to be exciting.

what rubbish! have you left the house lately? it's not as if we're in the midst of the largest arts festival in the southern hemisphere or anything.

Fringe seems to be getting bigger every year now. I was in the East End on Wednesday and there was still scores of people at midnight, even last night the amount of people in the city was nearly on par with the opening night. The line up to the Garden was ridiculous and is nothing I have ever seen in Adelaide or anywhere. Stretching from the entrance, along East Terrace and started heading towards eastern end of North Terrace.

BTW I love the Depot, a great way to transform an ugly eyesore into a quirky warehouse type rustic venue. Big thumbs up

/offtopic

[SRW]

Why does the thread title state $50 million as the project cost? News reports are still travelling with the original $30 million figure.

[Ben]

Gawler Place's $7m makeover proposal

by:
Tim Williams

From:
City Messenger

February 26, 2013

PART of Gawler Place would be paved and have wider footpaths under plans for a $7.2 million upgrade.

City councillor David Plumridge, a member of the Rundle Mall Masterplan working group, has provided details of the plans, which have yet to be released.
But it would be unlikely to happen until at least 2014/15.

Cr Plumridge told the City Messenger the project would include "dramatically improved street lighting", new seating, floodlighting of buildings, landscaping to create "parklets" in the section south of the mall, and underground ducting for fibre optics and essential services.

"This is going to make Gawler Place seamless with Rundle Mall," he said.

Cr Plumridge said the paving of the mall under its $30 million upgrade would extend into Gawler Place as far as Fisher Place to the north and Featherstone Place to the south.
This would be extended to North Tce and Grenfell St in the $7 million project.

Car access would have to maintained to allowed entry to offstreet carparks, but the paved roadway would be a shared space for pedestrians and motorists, he said.

Upgrades of side streets and laneways off the mall were included in the original $60 million masterplan for the precinct, since scaled back to a $30 million upgrade focused on the mall itself, to be completed by late next year.

"The plan identified the most important laneway would be Gawler Place," Cr Plumridge said.

"We can't rest on our laurels. I would like to see it done as an extension of the present (mall) contract."

Produced by consultants Hassell, the latest concept design for Gawler Place was presented to the working group, last Tuesday (February 19).

The group includes council staff and members of the mall's management authority.

Cr Plumridge moved a motion at a council committee meeting that night for consideration of funding detailed design work in 2013/14 and construction in 2014/15.

But members watered down the motion to consideration of the project in future budgets.

Cr Plumridge said the working group had already received plans for a modest upgrade of James Place, including new lighting but not repaving.

Frank McCabe Jewellers valuer Martin Dahlenburg said Gawler Place was in dire need of an overhaul.

Designs for upgrades of lanes including Twin St, Stephens Place and Charles St were in the works, he said.

Plans for all the laneways would likely be presented in a single package to the council in about three months, he said.

They would likely be considered behind closed doors before being released for consultation.

The Rundle Mall upgrade includes a new canopy for events in Gawler Place just north of the mall.

[rhino]

Very happy that something is going to be done with Gawler Place. Other laneways too, but Gawler Place is the correct one to go first IMO.