Media release

About Space helps to reduce vacant spaces in CBD

About Space is a Hutt City Council initiative that aims to active vacant store fronts in the CBD into creative places the public can enjoy. Launched in March 2013 with the Magic Forest glow show, About Space projects have included a pop-up cinema, a 1950’s Milk Bar and a multi-space community art festival.

And four years on, it has done just that.

To date there have been:

· 68 projects across

· 38 properties, of those properties activated,

· 16 are now commercially tenanted, and

· Many are new businesses that brought over 60 jobs into the CBD.

· More than 22,000 people visited an About Space Project which was all located in the CBD.

In 2015 an About Space project expanded to activate a public space on Andrews Ave with a crocheted community garden. The knitters created a vegetable garden, pond and even crocheted a lawn mower and garden tools.

This year’s Common Ground Public Art Festival in February partnered with About Space for the largest multi-space activation at Centre City Plaza. The festival used seven vacant spaces and the public space to feature a variety of community art projects, talks and interactive workshops. More than 600 people visited the Centre City Plaza during the eight day festival.

The programme is successful largely due to the generosity of the property owners that allow the use of these vacant spaces where the only benefit they are offered is staging the space for an eventual commercial tenant. Spaces are cleaned, windows washed and the lights turned on. Projects create vibrancy and activity on a temporary basis.

The down side of this success is that the quantity of available vacant spaces has been reduced. This is a great opportunity to active other vacant spaces that have yet to be leased. About Space programme is looking for new locations to activate. If you are interested in becoming a partner property owner or have an interest in participating in the programme contact Cyndi Christensen at aboutspace@huttcity.govt.nz

Note to editors:

About Space Programme is a Hutt City Council initiative designed to help revitalise the CBD by filling empty storefronts with creative projects, pop-up businesses and community focused activities. The projects attract people to the CBD, then which they can enjoy the local eateries and shopping experiences. It highlights how an activated space can become a permanent commercial tenancy.

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