News

New central Christchurch car park to be built by December 2021

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/116074109/new-central-christchurch-car-park-to-be-built-by-december-2021

Christchurch arts lovers are set for easier central city access, with the council progressing plans for a new car parking building.

Proposals are being sought for a structure with more than 320 short-term public car parks, including at least 10 electric vehicle chargers, 20 secure motorcycle parks, and a lockable space for 40 bicycles, that will be open 24/7. There would be retail on the ground floor.

It will either sit next to the Isaac Theatre Royal on Gloucester St or be on private land within Manchester, Kilmore, Worcester and Durham streets.

The building will face height restrictions if on performing arts precinct land, so it does not impede the views of Mt Grey from Tūranga, the central library.

It must be designed to be "highly attractive, sympathetic to and integrate well with the nearby civic and public environment", according to documents the council has made available to interested parties.

If building on precinct land, developers can propose to either fully fund and operate the building, or fund it in partnership with the council and operate it for at least 20 years before returning it to the council. The land will transfer from Crown to council as part of the global settlement agreement, which was signed off Monday.

If built off-precinct, the building must be on land owned or bought by the developer. They must fund construction and manage operation of the building.

Developers have until October 18 to put a proposal forward to council. A preferred option will be chosen by mid-November.

The council's long term plan has $6.8 million set aside for central city parking.

Council citizens and community general manager Brent Smith said council had received strong interest in the project.

The car park and Court Theatre builds might run at the same time, but he expected the parking building would open first as the design and construction was less complicated.

There are already several open car park buildings within 600 metres of the arts precinct, including the 800-space Lichfield St car park, 600-space parks at The Crossing and on Hereford St, and the under-construction 430-space park for The Terrace.