Warehouse Precinct Background and Updates

Introduction

The historic area between Queens Gardens and Police Street (the Warehouse Precinct) was once the hub of Dunedin’s commercial and industrial growth. This area declined in the second half of the 20th century. Recently, business and residential investment in the area has increased, which has started to  revitalise the area. The Warehouse Precinct Revitalisation Plan seeks to support this revitalisation, to ensure this important historic area becomes a vibrant and successful part of the central city once again.

Funding for amenity improvements in the Warehouse Precinct was included in the Council’s 2012/2013 Annual Plan and in the Long Term Plan 2015/2016 – 2024/2025. Funding was also included for continued investigation into the potential changes to Crawford and Cumberland Streets through the precinct, and for assistance  to heritage building owners for re-use developments.

Latest updates

October 2018

Work to make the Vogel Street abutment more accessible and attractive starts this month.

The abutment was part of a bridge built in 1883 to connect the wharf with warehouses on Vogel Street. The design aims to make the area around this heritage structure more pedestrian-friendly and increase awareness of the site’s history.

The upgrade will feature new lighting for the historic stairwell from the abutment to Cumberland Street and kerb buildouts with fencing that references the abutment’s history. The work will also include new paving, kerb and channel improvements and road resurfacing. Construction should be finished by  the end of the year.

December 2017

Warehouse Precinct amenity upgrades underway

The following projects are part of the final Warehouse Precinct amenity upgrades and will tie in with Central City Plan upgrades over the next 15 years.

Stage III/IV

The following artist’s impressions show concept designs for Stage III/IV Warehouse Precinct upgrades. These designs incorporate public feedback and were approved by the Council in September 2017. Upgrades focus on the Vogel Street bridge abutment area and along Bond Street. The tendering process is  underway, with work expected to occur between April and October 2018.

Vogel Street bridge abutment

Following on from work already completed on Vogel and Jetty Streets, we are pursuing a design to transform the historic bridge abutment area on Vogel Street into a memorable urban space. The design responds to needs of adjacent businesses, restores dignity to a historic structure often overlooked and  creates a welcoming environment for our community and visitors to enjoy.

Bond and Water Streets shared space

Following community workshops and further feedback, we developed a shared space design for the blocks of Bond and Water Streets that wrap around the Exchange. The goal is to achieve a forward-looking design with flexible, people-friendly outdoor space and a strong sense of history. Much as Jetty Street  is a first step towards creating more pedestrian space, this project is a trial for a shared space for pedestrians, cars and bicycles.

Proposed changes

The proposal is to create a vibrant shared space that features:

• a safe, slow-speed environment for all users
• a greener streetscape that is flexible and can be used for events
• symbolic connections to the waterfront and the site’s history.

This project demonstrates how stories of the city’s diverse people and history could increasingly be part of urban design. Weaving patterns are the conceptual anchor of the project. Similar to use of the Māori tāniko technique as a decorative border, we have proposed a zig-zag pattern to border the  shared space.

Bold paving lines are interwoven in the space’s centre to suggest an interweaving of cultures in Dunedin (dating back to the area’s historic use as a landing and trading space – Toitū Tauraka Waka).

Indigenous plants used for weaving and to provide food for native birds will be incorporated as a reminder that we share the landscape and natural resources.

Bond Street amenity upgrades

Amenity upgrades similar to those along Vogel Street are also happening in Bond Street (as far south as Police Street). The design introduces new kerb build-outs, crossing points, planting and seating.

Bond Street laneway

Targeted discussions with laneway stakeholders (building owners, businesses and residents along Bond and Princes Streets, between Police and Jetty Streets) will start soon. Laneway development will focus initially on the northern end and is likely to include re-surfacing, new paving and the installation  of cabling to support future lighting schemes. Tendering of works initially will exclude upgrades to the laneway. These upgrades will be added to the tender package once a final design and associated issues have been signed off by the Council.

STAGE II

Jetty Street

Work to create new public space under and alongside the Jetty Street overbridge was completed in October 2017. This work saw the section of Jetty Street from Cumberland Street to Crawford Street turned into a pedestrian space. The following photos show the changes made and exciting new uses that have  followed.

16 May 2017 – Jetty Street pedestrianisation

Part of Jetty Street is being converted to pedestrian use.The section of Jetty Street between Cumberland and Vogel Streets will be closed to all traffic, and the section between Vogel and Crawford Streets will be open to service vehicles only.

With more people moving into the area to live and work, the design provides an attractive spot for people to relax in the heart of the Warehouse Precinct. Many of the materials for the site are recycled and some have been donated.

An outdoor room will be created under the bridge. The area will feature seating, cycle racks, bluestone paving and concrete sheep bollards. Part of a ship built in Glasgow 100 years ago will be incorporated into a green wall and community notice board, which will link to a nearby community recycling  facility. Planting will provide shelter and make the area more appealing, while LED lighting will give the area a lift and make it safer.

Still didn't find what you were looking for?