Ferrybank project underway

The process of transforming the Ferrybank and the neighbouring Roose Commerce Park into the city’s premier river destination officially got underway this week with the launch of a design competition.

Teams have until 2 October to register their interest through an e-tendering portal.

Three finalists will be selected in October and each will receive $10,000 when they submit a concept plan. The winning team will be selected by a panel of experts at the end of the year and will receive $150,000 to deliver a detailed development plan by next July.

The brief for the teams is to develop "an innovative park-like environment which incorporates new development and commercial opportunity that is balanced against the natural beauty and function of the river and reserve." The designs must adhere to the direction set out in the River Plan.

"We are lucky to have such a great feature running through our city," says Hamilton City Council Chief Executive, Richard Briggs, who presented at the launch. "The Waikato River has cultural and spiritual importance to the Waikato Tainui and to me it’s important that these are reflected in the designs. I’m also excited to see how the designs show the river embracing the city."

Councillor Martin Gallagher, who is one of the members of the evaluation panel, says he is “happy to be rolling up my sleeves and getting on with the job. I’m a strong believer in community participation and this process is a great way to understand what the community are looking for. To me, this is the key to success in any project."

There are several criteria that design teams will need to include in the concept and development plans. These include:

Concept plans:

• riverbank cafes and restaurants

• commercial mixed used development that complements the CBD

• sports facilities and club houses, included rowing and waka ama

• an acknowledgement of Waikato Tainui and mana whenua's connection to the river

• new public open spaces, set within a park-like environment

• a hub for a 'regionally significant tourism experience'

• a modern jetty or on-water transport hub.

Development plans:

• pedestrian access to the surrounding arts, cultural and entertainment precincts and a future river promenade

• connections to Victoria St via streets and laneways from Hamilton East via the bridges and from the river walk and cycleways and from the river itself, via watercraft

• location of a future pedestrian walking and cycling bridge

• establish the Ferrybank as the regional hub for the Te Awa River Ride

• spaces for public art.

ENDS

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