Ex-councillor joins fight against square revamp
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A former long-serving Nelson City councillor who helped negotiate land purchases for Montgomery Square car park is assisting five councillors opposing the council's controversial revamp plans.
Seddon Marshall said Nelson business people had approached him "very concerned" about the $1.2 million project, which will result in the loss of 24 car parks and see a green space established in the middle of the square. It's scheduled to begin in January.
"The council is way out of line," Mr Marshall said. "I don't think they've done their homework."
Mr Marshall was on the council's land acquisition committee in 1968. He said it was one of his first jobs on the council to negotiate the sale of properties for a desperately needed inner-city car park.
"The central city area was dying. Valuations were low. It was seen as Save the City Centre."
Mr Marshall said finance was "very hard to come by" then and the council asked businesses to sponsor a loan needed to buy the 22 remaining properties. The response was overwhelming. "It was the first time we ever had a city council loan oversubscribed."
Mr Marshall said the original property owners or their families were entitled to be offered the land back if it was no longer being used for its designated purpose of car parking.
Mr Marshall said some of the businesses that assisted the cause were still around and unhappy with what was happening. He believes they have "four or five different grounds" to bring an injunction against the council if it proceeds.
Asked how many were supporting this stance, Mr Marshall replied: "I couldn't honestly say. It's all word of mouth."
Five councillors – Ian Barker, Aldo Miccio, Gail Collingwood, Mike Cotton and Graeme Thomas – have asked for the car park revamp to be halted and their request is set to be debated at a council meeting on Thursday.
Council staff are presenting the plans to the square's businesses at a public meeting tomorrow night from 6pm at the council chambers.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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