The launch on Monday of the WHAT IF initiative is the discussion we need to have on revitalising our city.
Our city retailers and hospitality businesses have had the toughest winter in decades. The problem is deeper than the current economic squeeze and recent disruption from Covid and the August 2022 storm. Richmond has over the past two decades been attracting an increasing share of the region’s retail spend and new commercial buildings.
There is much about Nelson’s CBD that is good. I love our city streetscape, Church Steps, Suter, Theatre Royal, NCMA, Museum and the central location of Rutherford Park. Saturday’s Nelson Market is iconic. We have dozens of niche shops, bars and cafes that offer superb products and services. The Nelson City Centre ArtWalk is unique and world class. Council has done a great job over the past decade better connecting our city to the Maitai River.
This year Council has improved transport into the city with the eBuses and upgraded cycleways. Council invests a lot in events to attract people such as Opera in the Park, Te Ramaroa and the Arts Festival. The next step is the proposed new city playground. I would also like us to do more to connect Nelson to the Haven and our beautiful waterfront.
This year’s annual Council survey of residents tells us the biggest concern is transport. A Nelson City Centre survey in 2019 found the top priority that would encourage people to visit the city was better and more parking. A key reason the Junction has attracted tens of millions in investment is the ease of access from Whakatu Drive and the hundreds of carparks.
The key to revitalisation is attracting more people into the central city – more locals choosing to shop and socialise there, more people living there, more tourists and international students visiting and more people working there.
We need to be realistic about costs and who will pay. Ratepayer investment will be required but the biggest challenge is to make the city a great place for the private sector to invest. Drop into 263 Hardy Street to share your ideas on WHAT IF.
