[COM] Victoria Square Upgrade - $24m

[pushbutton]

I'm wondering if there will still be ongoing discussion and debate over upgrading Victoria Square in another 20 years time. There has been for at least the last 20 years.

Why can't someone just make a decision and get on with it!

[metro]

good to hear that Gawler place may become more pedestrian friendly, it really needs it because at the moment during the lunch time rush it's a battle between hordes of people on the narrow footpaths or a fight with the few cars and taxis on the road.

and pushbutton, ive probably said this before.. i doubt there will be a full redevelopment of the square in one big project, i'mthinking they will likely break it up into smaller projects, starting with the roads, then the tram tracks, then the footpaths and landscaping gradually completed around the square, then moving the fountain could be another project. Whenever funding becomes available, the other less important things like the wetland, the arbours etc.. could be put in. eventually it would all be done.

But i just wish they'd start, it has to start somewhere, they need to pick something in the victoria sq masterplan and just do it! But they probably wont

[Matt]

Someone really should tell Cr Moran to pull her head in.

I'm getting seriously fed up with her speaking as if she's some sort of mouth-piece for the masses, or, for that matter, for the betterment of Adelaide. She speaks entirely for her own interests and that of a handful of cashed up pals in North Adelaide.

Every line that comes out of her mouth should be preceded with the disclaimer: "These are the views of Anne Moran - NOT the ACC, nor the wider general public."

[ml69]

good to hear that Gawler place may become more pedestrian friendly, it really needs it because at the moment during the lunch time rush it's a battle between hordes of people on the narrow footpaths or a fight with the few cars and taxis on the road.

and pushbutton, ive probably said this before.. i doubt there will be a full redevelopment of the square in one big project, i'mthinking they will likely break it up into smaller projects, starting with the roads, then the tram tracks, then the footpaths and landscaping gradually completed around the square, then moving the fountain could be another project. Whenever funding becomes available, the other less important things like the wetland, the arbours etc.. could be put in. eventually it would all be done.

But i just wish they'd start, it has to start somewhere, they need to pick something in the victoria sq masterplan and just do it! But they probably wont

It seems pretty clear that (lack of) funding is the major impediment to the Vic Sq proposal going ahead. I think if the ACC are serious about kicking off the Vic Square regeneration, they are going to have to stump up the bulk of dollars themselves. Given State government budget pressures (and the fact that they already have a massive capital works commitment over the next few years), I reckon the chances of getting a decent amount of State govt (or even Federal govt) funding are minimal.

ACC have to be creative to raise the extra revenue, not simply slap the ratepayers with a "Vic Sq levy". The best suggestion I've heard so far is selling the airspace above the Central Market to private developers, to allow residential apartments to be built above the Central Market. There is a precedent here, Paddy's Market in Sydney has a residential tower on top of it.

Surely there would be a lot of development appeal to build apartments above Central Market, right next to Grote St restaurant precinct, re-generated Vic Sq, with a tram stop near your front door? I reckon it would be one of the most vibrant/happening places to live in Adelaide!!

Apartments could be built in stages which also allows redevelopment of the Central Market halls below, whilst keeping the precinct fully functional during the redevelopment period (which may be several years).

[Omicron]

Isn't part of the appeal of the Central Markets its ill-developed chaos?

[Waewick]

I agree with whoever posted it.

but the council should just take there time and do this in stages when they have the coin.

I don't understand why every project needs a big statement and heaps of money thrown at it straight up to be a good project.

do stuff as you can afford it, with a plan - hell it may end up naturally bringing people into the square instead of try to force them in.

[Wayno]

I don't understand why every project needs a big statement and heaps of money thrown at it straight up to be a good project.

do stuff as you can afford it, with a plan - hell it may end up naturally being people into the square instead of try to force them in.

wise words...

[peas_and_corn]

good to hear that Gawler place may become more pedestrian friendly, it really needs it because at the moment during the lunch time rush it's a battle between hordes of people on the narrow footpaths or a fight with the few cars and taxis on the road.

and pushbutton, ive probably said this before.. i doubt there will be a full redevelopment of the square in one big project, i'mthinking they will likely break it up into smaller projects, starting with the roads, then the tram tracks, then the footpaths and landscaping gradually completed around the square, then moving the fountain could be another project. Whenever funding becomes available, the other less important things like the wetland, the arbours etc.. could be put in. eventually it would all be done.

But i just wish they'd start, it has to start somewhere, they need to pick something in the victoria sq masterplan and just do it! But they probably wont

It seems pretty clear that (lack of) funding is the major impediment to the Vic Sq proposal going ahead. I think if the ACC are serious about kicking off the Vic Square regeneration, they are going to have to stump up the bulk of dollars themselves. Given State government budget pressures (and the fact that they already have a massive capital works commitment over the next few years), I reckon the chances of getting a decent amount of State govt (or even Federal govt) funding are minimal.

ACC have to be creative to raise the extra revenue, not simply slap the ratepayers with a "Vic Sq levy". The best suggestion I've heard so far is selling the airspace above the Central Market to private developers, to allow residential apartments to be built above the Central Market. There is a precedent here, Paddy's Market in Sydney has a residential tower on top of it.

Surely there would be a lot of development appeal to build apartments above Central Market, right next to Grote St restaurant precinct, re-generated Vic Sq, with a tram stop near your front door? I reckon it would be one of the most vibrant/happening places to live in Adelaide!!

Apartments could be built in stages which also allows redevelopment of the Central Market halls below, whilst keeping the precinct fully functional during the redevelopment period (which may be several years).

Yeah, I'd love the sound of trucks delivering stuff at 5 in the morning.

[Will]

I assume any apartments would be above the central market and not in the central market. Furthermore, those trucks don't seem to bother the guests of the Hilton.

[Waewick]

yes I would imagine they have solved the problem of sound coming through thin glass a while ago..

[omada]

spiller wrote: If woods bagot can do half as good a job on the adelaide hilton as they did on south wharf in melbourne then the outcome will be fantastic. that hotel is amazing!

Judging by the photos on the link below, I agree - spectacular!

http://www.woodsbagot.com/en/Pages/HiltonHotel.aspx

Although by the looks of it, it was a completely new building. But at least the interior has chance of getting the same treatment.

[spiller]

^^ yep completely new hotel. the interior was my favourite part of my stay anyway (obviously!)

[Wayno]

From the City Messenger

Two traders groups are issuing a last-minute plea to the State Government to allocate at least $30 million funding for the Victoria Square redevelopment in next week’s budget.

The Grote Business Precinct and the Gouger Street Traders Association are calling for money to be invested into the southern end of the city as well as the Adelaide Oval and riverbank precincts.

The City Messenger last month reported about $25 million of City Council funds allocated to the Victoria Square redevelopment could be redirected to other projects if the government did not set aside money in the June 9 budget.

Grote Business Precinct President Bill Marles said a redeveloped Victoria Square would “revolutionise” the city.

“After three years of great planning, it would be a shame to see all of the time, effort and money spent so far goes to waste,” Mr Marles said. “It (redevelopment) will attract people back into the city and offer thousands of workers around Victoria Square somewhere to relax and enjoy.” Plans to redevelop the square, due to start next year, include a cafe, public garden, event stage, cultural centre and wetland.

Gouger Street Traders Association spokesman Adrian Carpenter agreed a redeveloped Victoria Square would entice people to the strip. “We see it as an opportunity to grow this end of the market because it’s going to attract people to the area and make it more of a pleasant place to visit,” Mr Carpenter said.

A spokesman for Treasurer Jack Snelling said he would not comment on the State Budget until it was handed down on June 9.

[Howie]

From the City Messenger

Two traders groups are issuing a last-minute plea to the State Government to allocate at least $30 million funding for the Victoria Square redevelopment in next week’s budget.

Very last minute, the budget has been inked and printed already.

[omada]

The traders groups contributed to the new upgrade plan being an epic failure in the first place, "Oh we can't block the Grote Street thoroughfare through the square, it will kill business". As far as I remember, in the new plans, the square is still two "islands" with little interaction/pedestrian flow from other city areas. My opinion is that the council should save the $30m and leave the project on ice until we have someone with some brain cells look at what really needs to be done, cafes and wetlands are not the answer i'm afraid.