News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[monotonehell]

I agree mixed use is a good way to get activity around the clock - but don't you think that the Casino adjacent already provides that for the area, being a 24/7 establishment?

Nope.

[SRW]

I'm also reluctant to see offices at the location, but if the argument that they're needed for activation and/or funding of the upgrade wins out, as prime public land I'd at least like them limited to accommodating public bodies. It could work as an annex to Parliament House, where I understand working space is cramped and inadequate. Perhaps the premier & co could even relocate from Victoria Square, opening up the opportunity there for residential conversion of the State Admin Centre or for its use by the new Torrens University.

As for Government House, as I've harped on in many forums here before, I too think it's essential that the grounds are opened up to the public. However, I don't necessarily advocate for removing the walls entirely or for relocating the governor -- neither is required. There's no reason the governor can't stay on in the house (security is manageable) and the walls could stay so long as they were lowered and made visually (think wrought iron) and physically (lots of gates) permeable. In this situation, the grounds would be like the Botanic Garden -- publicly accessible but closed at nights (though preferably later than the Gardens' 18.30). Happy compromise, IMO.

[rhino]

I agree mixed use is a good way to get activity around the clock - but don't you think that the Casino adjacent already provides that for the area, being a 24/7 establishment?

Nope.

Good reply Gough.

[[Shuz]]

I agree mixed use is a good way to get activity around the clock - but don't you think that the Casino adjacent already provides that for the area, being a 24/7 establishment?

Further to this, the proposed Casino expansion, with the inclusion of the luxury 6 star hotel adjacent to it will only significantly add to the 24/7 vibrancy of the area.

The proposed office building, from what I understand, is t be for parliamentary purposes only - basically shiny new offices for our pollies. We all know what a politcian's workload is like, as well as their staff, they not very likely to venture outside of the office other than the hours of 8-9am, 12-1pm, and 5-6pm. Hardly a case of 24/7 vibrancy. Such a development can be built elsewhere in the City - I make the suggestion, why not the 100m office tower within stone's throw of government offices at the Reserve Bank Building and State Administration Centre? Hence why I am opposed to the office development at the Festival Plaza site. A modest building, of 3 or 4 storeys tall, behind the Old Parliament House, which houses an mini-exhibition space, information kiosk, restaurant/cafe/bar is all that is really needed.

[Nathan]

I think development needs to be restricted to buildings that offer cultural or civic function, or facilities that park users require (restaurants, cafes, etc.). Of the current buildings in the area, the Riverside Centre and the Intercontinental were mistakes and have been a big factor in the current situation of the river being blocked off from the city. If offices and hotels need to be close to the river, casino or Parliament House then there is a perfectly good location known as the south side of North Tce.

[[Shuz]]

I think development needs to be restricted to buildings that offer cultural or civic function, or facilities that park users require (restaurants, cafes, etc.). Of the current buildings in the area, the Riverside Centre and the Intercontinental were mistakes and have been a big factor in the current situation of the river being blocked off from the city. If offices and hotels need to be close to the river, casino or Parliament House then there is a perfectly good location known as the south side of North Tce.

We all know that basically anything that had to do with the ASER redevelopment in the 1980s was a big mistake.

[monotonehell]

...they not very likely to venture outside of the office other than the hours of 8-9am, 12-1pm, and 5-6pm. Hardly a case of 24/7 vibrancy...

While I agree that any offices are best limited to uses that compliment the arts and so on (as per Fed Square, they have SBS's offices there), your statement above contradicts itself. No offices means the only activity will be driven by entertainment, which is very restricted to before and after shows etc. Mostly outside business hours. Your example above would mean that in addition to the crowds coming to and from shows etc, there would be extra foot traffic between "the hours of 8-9am, 12-1pm, and 5-6pm."

[Vee]

Item from InDaily on the ideas for, and public consultation on, the Riverbank Integration Master Plan.
The swimming pool on the Torrens idea looks least likely but development in the "airspace" over the ugly rail lines sounds promising.

Riverbank pretty pictures not yet a plan.
InDaily (Liam Mannix) July 2, 2013

Development in the “airspace” over the city’s rail lines, two new pedestrian bridges over the Torrens, and a new crossing on King William Road are all being floated as potential visions for Adelaide’s riverbank.

The ideas, some of which have been sourced from the public, are all possible inclusions in Adelaide’s Riverbank Integration Masterplan.

However, despite being officially launched on Sunday by Renewal SA – in addition to a State Government launch last Monday complete with flyover - the plan itself has not been written yet. Renewal SA is still consulting on a range of ideas ...

Many of the projects currently up for discussion – including a swimming pool on the banks of the Torrens – have not had any detailed work done on them by Renewal SA and are literally nothing more than artists’ impressions.

“Yesterday was really the formal launch of a month-long formal consultation process,” Renewal SA head Fred Hansen told InDaily.
“This is the balancing act that has to be always done at this stage. You want to give enough detail so it sparks people’s ideas.
“But you don’t want to get so much down as if it’s already decided – why bother asking me, if you’ve already made up your minds.”

The website for the plan lists several ideas, which Hansen said had been worked out to varying levels of detail.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE RAIL YARDS.
This project was needed to connect the new Royal Adelaide Hospital with the river, Hansen said.
The bridge was likely to be the first stage of eventual development over the top of the train lines.

Hansen expected eventually other businesses would develop in the “airspace” over the lines by building supporting structures over them, as the Convention Centre had already done.

TWO NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES across the Torrens.
They are slated to cross the Torrens east of King William Road, one on either side of the existing university footbridge.

The two new bridges are the key to creating an unbroken pedestrian and cycle “River Path” between Hackney and Bowden. The path and the bridges are among the most detailed elements in the plan.

A CITY POOL.
The pool has been illustrated on the north bank of the Torrens. Hansen said the idea – the “least detailed” part of the plan – had come from public consultation in March on the Riverbank Masterplan.

“We weren’t even thinking of something like a city pool,” Hansen told InDaily.
“We tried to reflect that here, but not with great detail. It was really just to be able to have it as a concept.”

NEW WETLANDS in Bonython Park, which could be used to improve water quality in the Torrens.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS for King William Road.
At the moment there is only one pedestrian crossing between the CBD’s square mile and the River. The six-lane road is a major impediment to Renewal SA’s vision of an unbroken north-south path.

Hansen described the current situation as dangerous, and said the plan was looking at ways to add a new pedestrian crossing to King William Road.

WAR MEMORIAL WALK along Kintore Avenue.
This project, considered by Renewal SA to be a short-term priority, would include a range of streetscape upgrades to the area including wider footpaths between Rundle Mall and the river.

A public survey attached to the project sheds some light on Renewal SA’s priorities. Questions on the proposed pedestrian paths through the Riverbank are included, as are questions about a new entertainment plaza near the Festival Centre.
The pool is not mentioned.

One of the firm details in the plan is the finish date for the entire masterplan– South Australia’s bicentary year, 2036.

http://indaily.com.au/news/2013/07/02/r ... et-a-plan/

[Dog]

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[claybro]

Would love to see the Thebarton police complex shifted as it's a blot on the drive into the city, perhaps just returned to parklands. I had thought that with the scaling back of the Keswick army site that may have been a good alternative for our boys in Blue, oops black.

That police barracks really should go. It is a really ugly collection of buildings. That would open up the old Gaol to Port road more, and the old gaol would be great if properly developed as a museum in keeping with it's history. Other cities have their old gaols as museums, and are popular attractions if done well...electric chairs, gallows etc, people love that ghoulish stuff.

[Patrick_27]

IMO - Build the rectagular stadium that was drawn up by associates of the A-United FC about five years ago, to sit where the Therbarton Police Barracks is and would include a hotel by the river and improving visibility of the gaol to encourage tourism usage.

[Vee]

Would love to see the Thebarton police complex shifted as it's a blot on the drive into the city, perhaps just returned to parklands. I had thought that with the scaling back of the Keswick army site that may have been a good alternative for our boys in Blue, oops black.

That police barracks really should go. It is a really ugly collection of buildings. That would open up the old Gaol to Port road more, and the old gaol would be great if properly developed as a museum in keeping with it's history. Other cities have their old gaols as museums, and are popular attractions if done well...electric chairs, gallows etc, people love that ghoulish stuff.

Yes!
The police complex on Port Road looks like a ramshackle collection of the ugliest government buildings, made even worse by its prominent position on the main north western gateway to the city.

It is a blight on our city and, as Claybro suggests, it hides a hidden potential tourist gem in the old Adelaide Gaol, ripe for restoration and prioritization as a tourist attraction for all the reasons given.

Guides, interpretive and interactive devices using new technologies, WiFi and smartphones/tablets bring history and storytelling to life. There are many interesting stories associated with the site but it needs a huge injection of capital. A good café would service tourists and provide another option along the Riverbank path.

The Old Gaol is easily accessible via the Riverbank path and the tram (extra tram stop needed). It would become more visible (important for viability) by removing the clutter of police buildings and improving/realigning and landscaping the roadway and adding new signage.

Not sure where the police complex could be re-located to but needs to consider the requirements for the police horses. Just need the significant dollars required for this re-location and the upgrade of the Old Gaol to meet the standards of a premium tourist attraction.

[Wayno]

There's actually some nice buildings among the police barracks, but let down by poor overall street appeal (rusted iron mesh fence, ugly 1970s cream brick wall, car park facing port rd, etc). Definitely demolish some of the building (esp the one on the corner of port rd / gaol road that abuts the footpath) to de-clutter and plant trees along port rd to soften/beautify. That beind said I do like the idea of opening up the view to the Gaol from Port rd. would it really be prominently visible if all buildings were gone?

Did not realise this is where the police horses are kept. Do they have many on site?

There's also some potential synergy between the police barracks and old gaol from a tourist perspective, but can't put my finger on it. Tours on horse back anyone?

[monotonehell]

...Did not realise this is where the police horses are kept. Do they have many on site?

There's also some potential synergy between the police barracks and old gaol from a tourist perspective, but can't put my finger on it. Tours on horse back anyone?

"Synergy" Where'd you pick up foul language like that, young man?

Most of the site is dedicated to maintaining horses. Check this out, on the 45 degree angle view of Google Maps, one of the blighters is on the wrong side of the fence.
https://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=maps+ ... u&t=h&z=21

The whole site could do with some rationalisation, beautification, and general rethink. Perhaps this will be considered as a part of the Torrens Parkland redevelopment?

[Dog]

Not sure the police horses are using all those ugly sheds and buildings on the site, more than happy to live with the horses just need to get rid of all the other stuff.