Scrub Rotorua Day to launch inner city revival

A "Scrub Rotorua Day" is among the first steps a revitalisation project for the inner city. City retailer Mike Steiner is leading the project and says the launch is the first stage of an exciting time for Rotorua

A newly formed Rotorua Inner City Focus Group - backed by the new mayor Steve Chadwick and RDC chief executive Geoff Williams – is inviting iwi stakeholders, businesses and the retail sector to the 31 October launch of part one of a revitalisation strategy.

The first stage will be kicked off on 23 November, Mike Steiner said when interviewed by www.themud.co.nz.

“We are going to have a Scrub Rotorua Day, where we are asking the whole of the business community – land owners, retailers and business people – to get out and clean up their premises; paint up what’s necessary, freshen up their signs, clean windows, do whatever.”

“The Rotorua District Council is going to come along behind and replant all the gardens through Tutanekai Street [in the main retail area] – they’ve a whole new design philosophy for that.”

One of the key intersections on Pukuatua and Tutanekai Streets is to be altered, as a trial.

The City Focus – sometimes blamed for setting a poor tone for Rotorua’s inner city – will receive a refurbishment and a new look.

Mr Steiner says this is an exciting time for business and retailers. Six months ago they had had no voice and had no communication with the RDC but have built up strong communication within the city.

The state of Rotorua’s inner city was one of the major issues in the recent local body elections, which saw mayor Steve Chadwick topple standing mayor Kevin Winters in a landslide.
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