PROJECTS: SA Retail

[crawf]

The redevelopment commences tonight, though the major works wont commence until the Festival Season is over.

$30 million makeover for Rundle Mall set to start today
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/s...-1226579826717
February 17, 201310:00PM

THE first stage of Rundle Mall's major upgrade begins today.

The $30 million overhaul will feature new paving, an event space, a water feature and pop-up stalls.

The controversial plans also involve shifting the Mall's Balls, pulling out trees and clearing out fruit and flower stalls that have been operating in the middle of the Mall for years.

Central Fruit Kiosk worker Andrea Kilgariff said the business had been given an eviction notice for March 26.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said the council had "resolved" concerns of stall operators.

Work starts today on upgrading gas lines, electricity and CCTV cables and lighting in the Mall, requiring workers to rip up pavers.

Mr Yarwood said disruption to shoppers would be minimal and it would be business as usual for traders.
"It's going to take about 18 months but we ask people to bear with us,'' he said.

Mr Yarwood said the upgrade would benefit the 85 per cent of tourists who visit the Mall - the second-busiest in the country.

[mobus]

Sounds awful, sorry. I don't like the idea of big redevelopments pushing out small business that have been operating for years, like the flower and fruit stalls, which give the mall character and life, and the trees that have also been there for years.

[eastadl]

Originally Posted by mobus

Sounds awful, sorry. I don't like the idea of big redevelopments pushing out small business that have been operating for years, like the flower and fruit stalls, which give the mall character and life, and the trees that have also been there for years.

Im quite sure the 3 flower/fruit stalls will be back. The whole idea is to move all the fixed structures which currently sit in the middle, to one side of the mall because the council wants to make a space for emergency vehicles to drive down 1 side of the mall without things in the way. This is why the malls balls, plane trees and fountains are being moved a few metres to be on 1 side. The mall needs an upgrade

[mobus]

So they are staying, including the trees? I honestly believed that these things gave such character to the mall, and trees were integral to summer shoppers who wanted shading. They looked great even in winter too. As long as they will be back. Will the mall be closed during these redevelopments?

[crawf]

Originally Posted by mobus

So they are staying, including the trees? I honestly believed that these things gave such character to the mall, and trees were integral to summer shoppers who wanted shading. They looked great even in winter too. As long as they will be back. Will the mall be closed during these redevelopments?

No all the kiosks at this stage will be demolished and replaced with transportable food and beverage outlets, as per article below. The trees aren't staying aswell, but they will be planting double the amount of trees that will be strategically located.

Also, Rundle Mall will be trading as normal.



From the Lord Mayor's facebook

This is what the new Rundle Mall will look like. By using the sides instead of the middle we get:

- More trees
- More seats
- Better views of the heritage buildings
- Camouflaging of the worse architecture
- New stormwater infrastructure ensuring buildings do not flood
- Better access for bumping in/out great events that celebrate Adelaide culture
- Better access for delivery trucks to support the businesses
- Less damage to buildings from trucks.

We are all entitled to an opinion but we did engage world class architects, designers, event managers, engineers and retail experts.

Please have an open mind and appreciate that there are people out there that know more about designing such spaces than me or you. I am sure people will be more than impressed when finished and I encourage everyone to be positive about change.

Learn more at rundlemallmasterplan.com

Plug-in outlets a boost for Rundle Mall
AdelaideNow

RESTAURANTS, cafes and bars will plug-in and pop-up along Rundle Mall to inject moveable life throughout the shopping strip.

Under the new concept, called "plug and play", food and beverage outlets will come into the Mall for a set time and change as day turns to night, helping to support shops during late-night trading.

Rundle Mall Management Authority chairman Theo Maras said mobile outlets would better cater to customers' changing needs throughout the day.

"They come in with their cart and it's plugged in and they've got their trays of pre-cooked food that can be kept warm or a hotplate with a gas bottle to cook up fresh food," he said.

"One I've been talking to will do a one-day fixed menu where they'll have Black Angus beef with locally-sourced vegetables served on a plate and you can sit down and eat with a glass of beer or South Australian wine.

"There will be different gourmet shops who will serve but they won't be big, they won't be able to cater for 100 people.

"They'll cater for 25 to 30 people, maybe a little bit more at a time but there will be several of them.

"Vendors that served during the day that don't want to be there at night will take their gear and go, then someone else comes in, plugs in and serves."

The concept will be rolled out towards the end of next year once the $30 million upgrade of Rundle Mall is completed.

Mr Maras said in SA there were plenty of high-quality mobile food places, especially since the food van revolution.

About half a dozen restaurant-style vendors had already approached the authority, as well as ice cream, high tea, gourmet cakes and sweets vendors, he said.

[gho]

i like the placement of trees that block out the uglies