[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[Ben]

Seems this is imminent so here is a thread.

From the Messenger:

Rundle Mall upgrade

Chris Day

20Nov07

A MAJOR upgrade of Rundle Mall is likely with most City Councillors saying they will happily spend millions sprucing up the shopping strip.

Cr Richard Hayward is leading the push to invest heavily in the mall, describing it as ``the most marketable tool in the city''. Cr Hayward is supported by Lord Mayor Michael Harbison, who is keen to move fast on a mall upgrade while there is ``enthusiasm'' from newly elected councillors.

Options Cr Hayward wants considered some of which have been floating around for years include:new paving throughout the mall;a balcony on the mall's northern side, to encourage more second level shops;allowing taxis to drive down part of the mall at night;installing a police booth and public lockers;an open-air ``cool zone'' where people would be sprayed with a cool mist on hot days; andmore cafes and restaurants, particularly in the mall's side-streets.

Cr Hayward said the upgrade would reaffirm Rundle Mall as the state's premium shopping strip and help it compete with suburban centres.

``We've got to start work this council term and there is no point starting something if you're not going to finish it,'' Cr Hayward told the City Messenger. He said Rundle Mall recorded about 24 millions visits each year, had an annual turnover of about $800 million and contributed about $10 million in council rates.

``The mall is the jewell in the state's retail crown... and if you get the mall right it spreads out to the rest of the city.''

A Rundle Mall upgrade was this week strongly backed by seven of the 12 City Council members.

The remaining five councillors Joe Cullen, David Plumridge, Michael Henningsen, Sandy Wilkinson and Sue Clearihan all saw merit in an upgrade but were cautious about the funding commitment required.

Mr Harbison: ``Rundle Mall is important and we should move now while the enthusiasm is there.''

The council is examining a new management model for the mall, which would hand retailers and property owners more control over issues including marketing, security and cleanliness. A report on the changes is expected early next year.

[crawf]

Great to hear!

Rundle Mall should be ahead of the suburban shopping centres, and a major upgrade will definitely help this

[bm7500]

As mentioned in another thread, Rundle Mall should use Brisbane Mall as the benchmark!

But having taxi's down the mall at night WTF??

I hope the ACC don't botch it

[stelaras]

taxi's down the mall.....thats stupid!

I agree with a revamp of rundle mall, it severely needs it, add some extended shopping hours and utilising those laneways to create small bars, cafes and restaurants, coupled to some more inner city apartments should make for a bustling street..

[crawf]

Why is it stupid?, the article doesn't stat taxis will go down the whole length of the mall but a part of it (so maybe a laneway such as Gawler Place). It could be what is needed to get the mall alive at night and encourage more cafes and bars to open up along the mall.

I dont really agree with using Queen St Mall as a benchmark for this revamp sure its a fantastic retail strip but lets be original with our ideas and theres a huge climate difference between here and Brisbane. So outdoor dining might not be so popular here, unlike Brisbane (especially in the colder months).

Lets make Rundle Mall, Australia's premier retail strip once again and rival Queen St Mall. Not copy it.

[omada]

The mall isn't in dire condition, the paving isn't that bad, but yes, as it has often come up on this site, utilising the lane ways (ala Jan Gehl's 2002 Report for the ACC) is definitely a priority. definitely looking forward to this project..

BTW that new eatery on the KWS side of the mall appears to be doing well, this type of development should also be encouraged..

[AG]

The Queen Street Mall is a great example of how a mall can bring people into the city. The underground busway under the mall has also aided it's success as it brings people right into (or more correctly, under) the mall.

[Norman]

Well, why not run a few of the Shuttle Trams down Rundle Mall to Pulteny Street and then down to Adelaide Uni?

[Dave_The_Planner]

Oh wow, new paving! That sure is something to get excited about. What is wrong with the existing paving?

If that is the best Council can come up with to compete with suburban shopping centers then it is hardly surprising only a handful of people voted in the elections recently. Money could be spent on far more interesting and innovative ways to reinvigorate the city's shopping precinct.

[rogue]

.....add some extended shopping hours and utilising those laneways to create small bars, cafes and restaurants.....

I agree. If the government allowed the city to open late every weekday and saturday nights till 9pm (10pm during daylight saving months), this would give people a reason to shop in the city over the suburban centres. When I was working in the city, I found it frustrating that I couldn't shop after work when I finished at 1730 or 1800.

Establishing eateries / bars alone (and updating the paving) would not draw the crowds the council are after.

[Mants]

Well, why not run a few of the Shuttle Trams down Rundle Mall to Pulteny Street and then down to Adelaide Uni?

NO!!!
that would be terrible! that's precisely what makes bourke street mall so terrible; divided and not really pedestrian friendly, due to the presence of the trams.
under no circumstance should trams run along rundle mall.

ps. id rather see new paving on rundle street than on rundle mall.

[how_good_is_he]

More hi-rise residential apartments & student living would help to bring people "after hours".

[Zender]

I believe what they mean by re-paving is the heated paving idea that was brought up last time. I 'think' it was part of a competition some uni student won, which included heated pavers and an overhead roof to boost shoppers throughout the colder periods.

My 2c, stuff the pavers on Rundle Mall, and pave Rundle STREET! That would make it one sexy LONG mall. And I agree strongly on moving more cafes into the side streets/alley ways. Have you seen some of the alley ways recently, in the heart of the city (?) they look like pedophiles paradise. Melbourne has made great use of their alley ways... their mall is piss compared to Rundle though

[Bulldozer]

Oh wow, new paving! That sure is something to get excited about. What is wrong with the existing paving?

It's dirty, uneven and looks cheap. It needs the highest quality paving possible.

[crawf]

Oh wow, new paving! That sure is something to get excited about. What is wrong with the existing paving?

If that is the best Council can come up with to compete with suburban shopping centers then it is hardly surprising only a handful of people voted in the elections recently. Money could be spent on far more interesting and innovative ways to reinvigorate the city's shopping precinct.

The best they can come up with? , and the rest

Options Cr Hayward wants considered some of which have been floating around for years include:new paving throughout the mall;a balcony on the mall's northern side, to encourage more second level shops;allowing taxis to drive down part of the mall at night;installing a police booth and public lockers;an open-air ``cool zone'' where people would be sprayed with a cool mist on hot days; andmore cafes and restaurants, particularly in the mall's side-streets

Its pretty impressive, would also like to see new lighting aswell