Street Party to Celebrate Revitalisation

Dunedin (Friday, 19 September 2014) – It’s been all about breathing new life into old And now, to celebrate, a street party centred on Vogel Street will be held on Saturday, 18 October between 3pm and 10pm.

Dunedin City Council Policy Planner (Heritage) Dr Glen Hazelton says the aims of the street party include celebrating the completion of building reuse projects in the area and showcasing the variety of businesses located within the neighbourhood. The street party will also celebrate the installation of the city’s first LED street lights and locally designed and manufactured street furniture, and the completion of stage one of the Vogel Street upgrade, as well as encouraging people to use the area for events and exhibitions.

Vogel Street is part of the Warehouse Precinct, which used to be a thriving commercial and industrial hub in the city and is now coming to life once again as an exciting inner city neighbourhood.

The street party will be held in Vogel Street, from Queens Gardens to Jetty Street. So a carnival atmosphere can be created, the area will be closed to traffic.

Organising committee head Jess White, from the DCC City Development team, says, “To celebrate the historic area’s transformation, renewed vibrancy and the efforts of business owners and others in the neighbourhood, the area will be transformed into a family-friendly pedestrian space with a wide variety of free entertainment. There will be street performers, live music, creative activities and workshops, lighting projections and a range of food vendors.”

Many buildings in the Warehouse Precinct will open their doors so people can tour the refurbished spaces. As part of the Dunedin Street Art Festival, local and internationally renowned street artists will also be transforming walls in and around the Precinct into public art works.

Organised by the DCC City Development team and community members, the street party is one of the Arts Festival Dunedin events happening from 10 to 19 October.

The DCC’s Warehouse Precinct Revitalisation Plan includes initiatives to support and encourage the revitalisation of the area. In the 2012/13 Annual Plan, the Council approved $500,000 for the first stage of amenity improvements. These improvements focused on Vogel Street as that was where there was the greatest number of private buildings being refurbished and reused. The amenity work began in late 2013 and includes built-out pedestrian kerbs, planting, street trees, recycling and rubbish bins, LED street lighting, cycle racks and bespoke seating.

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