Council Announces Accent Point Upgrade

Transformation will:
• Retain and emphasise the positive aspects of facility
• Bring library and museum onto street level
• Create a lasting asset for the community

Papakura District Council has announced moves to enhance and revitalise the Accent Point complex in downtown Papakura.

It will sell its part-share in the complex to co-owners Verus Holdings Ltd (VHL) and will lease space on the street-accessible level three to bring the Sir Edmund Hillary Public Library and the Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum down one floor. The building will now be jointly owned by VHL and Taranaki-based property company KCL, which will manage the project.

Mayor Calum Penrose says the new project is a much needed boost for Accent Point. It will create a high quality, accessible, attractive facility and will add new life to the centre of town.

“Accent Point will become a bright, interesting, lively focal point within the town centre. This project significantly improves access to the Library and Museum for all users, and gives people many more opportunities to enjoy these community assets.”

The upgrade will create a new, more open entrance on Great South Road, with enhancements to the walkway leading into the building to create a welcoming entrance environment. The smaller shops currently in the entrance area will be removed and the entrance refinished in durable, high quality materials. The occupants of these shops have been relocated and compensated by the owner of Accent Point.

The revamp will include skylight sections in the roof to allow more natural light into the walkway area.

Inside the street-level floor, the library will occupy space on the northern (right hand) side, moving into a larger area than it currently uses on the fourth level. The new layout will include meeting rooms and improved operational facilities.

The museum will be located on the southern (left hand) side of the main level three area. The plan for the move down from level four has been developed with the involvement of the Library and Museum managers.

Public toilets on this floor will also be upgraded as part of the enhancement project.

“The work will address issues identified by staff and users of Accent Point and make the Library and Museum much more accessible to users. Bringing our facilities down to ground level enables us to make the most of the best aspects of Accent Point, in particular its location in the centre of town and the under-cover off-street parking it offers.”

“Council is also keen to include a modern, appealing café on this floor, a place where people can meet and enjoy coffee and a bite to eat as part of their trip to the museum or library, and we are currently looking for a suitable provider for this opportunity.”

The fourth floor will be offered for lease by VHL who will start looking for a suitable tenant in the new year.

Public car parking on the lower levels will be retained, with 155 car parking spaces available for public use

Mr Penrose says the project has received signoff from the Auckland Transition Agency, which is overseeing the change next year to the new Auckland Council. The Library and Museum will remain open throughout almost all of the construction period, which is expected to commence in February-March next year and be completed by October 2010.

“Accent Point has needed this kind of boost for a long time. Getting this under way now means we are able to deliver the people of the District a lasting asset as we hand over to the new council.”

ENDS

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