News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[Dog]

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[buildit83]

a lot of you don't like the look of the boat sheds but what would you propose to have there instead? if you're just going to knock them down because you don't think it looks nice thats a pretty superficial reason to remove them. for a city to be vibrent as the state government loves to say lately, you actually need things like this to attract people to utilise the precinct to begin with. I've been to a lot of cities around the world and some of the most ugliest cities I've been to ascetically has some of the most vibrent precincts in the world. why? because they have many different activities that attract people there to begin with. its not just ascetics that attract people, its a mix of activities that attract people. if you remove the boat sheds, you're just removing another use of the Torrens and if you're just removing them to make it look nice thats pretty stupid IMO. I wouldn't remove them I think it adds character to the river because you have the row boats going down the river and it gives the place a litte bit of activity and the row clubs have their functions in them as well.

Cafes, Restaurants and small retail uses would be better suited on the walkway infront of the convention centre, the intercontinental hotel, the casino and into the Hajek Plaza. in saying that you need more than just cafes to make a place a destination. almost every concept picture has a pictures of a alfresco areas with people sipping on lattes, theres only so much coffee people can drink and this activity alone isn't going to attract the masses of people.

For the river bank precinct to take off, the Hejak Plaza is in real need for attention, while this area stays in its current form its not going to attract many people apart from game days at Adelaide Oval or the Adelaide Festival of Arts. the Casino redevelopment needs to go ahead as soon as possible. there also needs to be development of a high standard over the railway yards to better connect the River to the Hospital and the proposed Medical Precinct. the biggest issue with this precinct is connectivity. both ends of the precinct are uninviting the Hajek Plaza and Railway Yards are disconnected from the rest of the precinct.

[Dog]

a lot of you don't like the look of the boat sheds but what would you propose to have there instead? if you're just going to knock them down because you don't think it looks nice thats a pretty superficial reason to remove them. for a city to be vibrent as the state government loves to say lately, you actually need things like this to attract people to utilise the precinct to begin with. I've been to a lot of cities around the world and some of the most ugliest cities I've been to ascetically has some of the most vibrent precincts in the world. why? because they have many different activities that attract people there to begin with. its not just ascetics that attract people, its a mix of activities that attract people. if you remove the boat sheds, you're just removing another use of the Torrens and if you're just removing them to make it look nice thats pretty stupid IMO. I wouldn't remove them I think it adds character to the river because you have the row boats going down the river and it gives the place a litte bit of activity and the row clubs have their functions in them as well.

Cafes, Restaurants and small retail uses would be better suited on the walkway infront of the convention centre, the intercontinental hotel, the casino and into the Hajek Plaza. in saying that you need more than just cafes to make a place a destination. almost every concept picture has a pictures of a alfresco areas with people sipping on lattes, theres only so much coffee people can drink and this activity alone isn't going to attract the masses of people.

For the river bank precinct to take off, the Hejak Plaza is in real need for attention, while this area stays in its current form its not going to attract many people apart from game days at Adelaide Oval or the Adelaide Festival of Arts. the Casino redevelopment needs to go ahead as soon as possible. there also needs to be development of a high standard over the railway yards to better connect the River to the Hospital and the proposed Medical Precinct. the biggest issue with this precinct is connectivity. both ends of the precinct are uninviting the Hajek Plaza and Railway Yards are disconnected from the rest of the precinct.

Just saying I think we could do the boat sheds much better, outdoor fitness much better, canoe polo, indoor fitness, model boats and water activities much better. I think the river park is about families, fun family activities, lazy Sundays, coffee, ice creams, markets, performers, kids with boats.
As far as I am concerned the existing or new casino does/will do jack to improve the river park. How any casino patrons actually even know if its night or day in the casino let alone walk along the river. Building more amenities in the casino will make it even more self contained.
on the other hand new boat sheds, combined with other family centred activities along with convention facilities will bring exhibitions, activity and the type of people who wonder around and enjoy themselves.
As for the plaza it just needs its own good management to bring performances, markets, festivals, exhibitions, car shows and people will come. You could hardly call the Gepps Cross markets or even the farmers market wonderful venues yet with the right activities people flock there by the thousands every weekend.

[Vee]

Not sure if this is the right thread - Riverbank Precinct.
Could the Hajek sculpture soon be gone?
Re-zoning proposal?

Plan revealed for Torrens riverfront precinct rezoning. ABC News

A plan has been released for public comment on rezoning the riverbank precinct of the Torrens in Adelaide, including the Festival Centre plaza.
The development plan amendment outlines the sort of projects which would be allowed in the area stretching from the plaza to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

The Government has received a proposal from developer Lang Walker for the plaza site.
Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the zoning changes were not tailored to Mr Walker's proposal.

"Future upgrades and the redevelopment of the Adelaide Casino and Adelaide Festival plaza, all within the entertainment precinct, will be possible under the proposed changes," he said.

The amendment would create a new riverbank zone to encourage development of a mix of entertainment, shopping and accommodation.

The Government said there would be two policy areas within the zone, a health area and an entertainment area, with indications of desired uses and building designs. It said it was keen to see a redevelopment of the heritage-listed Festival plaza and car park.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-17/p ... ng/4826006

[Shahkar]

Artist impressions from the 'tiser.

[Dazzeland]

Artist impressions from the 'tiser.




The building looks to be the taller(?) Westpac.

What is the purpose of that building? Personally I would like the first few stories to be a tourist info centre ala the one in fed square Melbourne. Tour operators could have desks and such as well as an info desk. It would draw more tourists there and after they could walk along the riverbank?

[Briggzy_03]

Artist impressions from the 'tiser.

The building looks to be the taller(?) Westpac.

What is the purpose of that building? Personally I would like the first few stories to be a tourist info centre ala the one in fed square Melbourne. Tour operators could have desks and such as well as an info desk. It would draw more tourists there and after they could walk along the riverbank?

Surely that is just a concept building, or are they that far ahead with the planning? Purpose may be hotel/office?

[rhino]

Hmmm..... SA State logo at the top ... right behind Parliament House ... could it be our new State Administration Centre? Far more likely is't something some graphic artist came up with in a hurry so that the Tiser could print something controversial. Hardly worth even wondering about.

Having said that, regarding the space, I wouldn't like to see a hi-rise there. Parliament House is a grand building in a prominent position. This building will overshadow it, hem it in and make it look less significant, and I'm not comfortable with that. Let North Tce be the grand boulevard at the edge of the city, we don't need the city to go beyond it when there's so much low-rise still within the square mile.

[Dog]

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[Kasey771]

I like the idea of making that square bordered by Parliament House, the Railway Station and the Festival Theatre a Grand public square rather than a big building. foot traffic in the area is about to really pick up once the footbridge and the Oval open.

[how good is he]

I know Cavalia (cirque du soleil on horses) is coming here in October ...... Does anyone know where? I have heard at the entertainment centre But I know in Melbourne they have set up a white bigtop that fits 2,000.... I think I remember reading the ACC have spent something like $2m to make a permanent base at Ellis Park and other works to make this a purpose built place for these sort of things....surprised if not put up there.

[SRW]

All the artists amongst us, APPA are holding an art prize for anyone who most successfully capture the essence of the parklands. See here: http://www.parklandsart.com/

[Dvious]

Paint a picture with lots of grass.

[Dog]

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[buildit83]

Adelaide City Council planners unveil vision to turn North Tce railyards into riverside park

THE State Government should build over the rail lines west of the Morphett St Bridge to create a new swathe of riverbank parklands along the Torrens, Adelaide City Council planners say.

A concept plan by planning staff shows the rail lines covered from the bridge as far as the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site, creating a long, unbroken link between new medical research buildings on North Tce and the river.

Trains would continue to run beneath the new park, which could lead to a new skate park and riverside rowing centre that would allow for the demolition of old rowing sheds.

The plan also calls for a rethink of the proposed Adelaide Casino expansion to protect views of the heritage building from the new footbridge, and proposes a floating cafe on the river instead of building in Elder Park.

City planning acting general manager David Chick said the council had taken a cue from the Adelaide Convention Centre, which is being extended over the train lines east of the bridge.

"It's making better use of what technically is parklands," Mr Chick said.

"We acknowledge it would come at a price but they've just done it with the Convention Centre."

Mr Chick said the proposed health buildings west of the bridge - a new Adelaide University medical school, UniSA biomedical research centre and a second South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute - could be spread in a parkland setting across the reclaimed railyards rather than bunched together on North Tce. However, he accepted it would be tough to change "decisions that had already been made".

The concept plan is the council's proposed response to the government's plan to rezone the riverbank precinct.

The rezoning plan calls for the creation of unspecified links between North Tce and the riverbank across the railyards, and would allow for developments such as a $300 million casino expansion and a possible office tower behind Parliament House.

Indicative images for both have shown the new buildings would cover the entire rear facades of the heritage assets.

Mr Chick said the council favoured expanding the casino upwards instead and preserving the plaza behind Parliament as public space.

"When you have thousands of people pouring out of the new stadium (Adelaide Oval) across the bridge this will be the main view," he said of the casino.

"What was back of house becomes the front door (and) this is a really important view of one of the state's most significant heritage assets.

"What better aspect is there for your plaza than views of Parliament House and the train station?''

The rear casino facade could be activated with a new ground level restaurant, he said.The council plan calls for cafes and restaurants to be confined to the building line of the Convention Centre, or over the river itself, to preserve limited space in Elder Park.

Mr Chick said the council remained broadly supportive of the government's aims to enliven the riverbank.

"There is a level of development that would need to occur but we are trying to demonstrate how best to do that without compromising the core values people have for the area."

He said the council had landlord control of Elder Park and a thin strip of riverbank land immediately west of the Morphett St bridge and had the power to refuse building consent for developments in those areas.

But he conceded most of the land covered by the rezoning, from King William St west past the new hospital site, was beyond Town Hall's control.

A council committee will consider the plan tonight. It will be put to the Adelaide Park Lands Authority on Thursday and the full council next week.

Comment is being sought from the State Government.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger ... 6709928313