Blenheim improvement projects ranked

Culture, character get high priority

Tighter control on the character of buildings in the central business district (CBD), a new library and art gallery and traffic signals for the Main St pedestrian crossing have topped the Marlborough District Council's to-do list for improving central Blenheim.

Other projects, including a partial traffic bypass of State Highway 1 between the intersections of Sinclair and Auckland streets and Main and Freswick streets, and traffic signals at half a dozen intersections, look unlikely after being relegated to bottom of the list.

The ranking of dozens of renewal projects by the council's environmental policy committee yesterday was the latest move in a so far year-long project to revitalise the CBD.

The improvements were developed by Auckland-based planners Urbanismplus at the council's request and have been subject to extensive consultation.

Council strategic policy manager Francis Pauwels said once the rankings were finalised – which will be when the committee's decision goes before the full council on Thursday next week – the emphasis would shift to bringing in the improvements.

This would be done by including the projects in council works programmes.

Some highly ranked projects are already under way, such as the development of Riverside Park, with the council buying land on the corner of High and Symons streets next to the park amphitheatre last year.

Another improvement seen as urgent was for the council to look at a targeted rate on town centre landowners to pay for a town centre management organisation.

However, it was also considered this could be funded from existing council resources.

Weekly events on the river bank and free evening laser light shows were also ranked highly by committee members.

Several safety improvements were also high on the list, including more lighting in CBD lanes and a town-wide Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design review.

However, other ideas fell out of favour.

Moving the fire station, developing a multimedia and sound studio in the old art gallery and installing live car parking vacancy signs were all considered a low priority.

Committee members made few comments other than to support the rankings, but chairwoman Jill Bunting reiterated the need for the improvements, given Blenheim's population is forecast to increase by 6300 over the next 20 years.

"We need to have the facilities to meet that."

THE TO-DO LIST

GO* New library across the street from its existing Arthur St site and new art gallery next to it. Tighter council control on the character of central business district buildings. "Pocket" park replacing the Queen St car park. A town centre management organisation, to be funded by a targeted rate on town centre landowners or from existing council resources. Improved town centre signage at the three major road entrances. A heritage walking route map for the town centre. More trees and lighting, including for safety, as well as mood lighting on Taylor River walkways. NO** State Highway 1 bypass between the intersections of Sinclair and Auckland streets and Main and Freswick streets. Traffic lights at half a dozen previously suggested Blenheim intersections. Moving the fire station. Multimedia and sound studio in the old art gallery.

*Ranked as high priorities by the Marlborough District Council's environmental policy committee.

**Ranked as low priorities by the Marlborough District Council's environmental policy committee. The final call for all projects' rankings will be made by the full council on March 25.

- The Marlborough Express