News Release

8 July 2013

Downtown agreement next step on City Rail Link

The Mayor is describing an agreement with Precinct Properties regarding the Downtown Shopping Centre as an exciting next step in the progress of Auckland’s City Rail Link.

The council has agreed to negotiate with Precinct to coordinate timing of future development plans for the shopping centre with the construction of the part of the City Rail Link that needs to pass below the complex.

“After last week’s exciting news from government about funding, this is another great step for the City Rail Link,” says Len Brown.

“Today we celebrate 10 years since the first train service at Britomart and here we are a decade later agreeing to negotiate a kick start for the next exciting phase of our city’s rail future.

“The City Rail Link will be a catalyst for urban redevelopment throughout the city centre and this is a good example of that. The council will continue to work with key commercial and property interests to achieve growth and development for our city.“

The shopping centre sits on land required to build and operate the City Rail Link. Two rail lines will punch out of Britomart and be built below QEII Square and Downtown before curving under Albert Street as they head south to connect with the existing rail line at Mt Eden.

Auckland Council Property Ltd (ACPL) chief executive David Rankin says co-ordination to advance the CRL at the same time as Precinct begins redevelopment would be a constructive outcome for the city.
“While there are many issues to work through, the parties will give it their best shot to ensure  a win/win deal is put together to secure the tunnel route for the City Rail Link while enabling a new retail and office development to be built.

“I look forward to the redevelopment of Downtown given the importance of strengthening retailing and providing quality office space for the growing number of businesses choosing to locate in the city centre.”

Precinct is the largest owner of premium inner-city office buildings in Auckland and Wellington.

Chief Executive Scott Pritchard says Precinct has had a strategy of focussing on the city’s harbour front area for some time.

“Precinct has been a long-standing supporter of the CRL and the council’s City Centre Masterplan.

“We welcome the chance to work together with the council in advancing their vision for the CRL and ours for the future of this location, which we see as offering a unique opportunity to create a special area in the heart of the city.”

Information on the City Rail Link is available on the project website www.cityraillink.co.nz and more information on Precinct is at www.precinct.co.nz.

Britomart Downtown View:
http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1307/BritomartDowntown_view_July_2013.pdf

ENDS

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