[Guest]

CROWN LYNN QUARTER​

CROWNING GLORY: An artist's impression of the future Crown Lynn development in New Lynn.​

Newly unveiled plans for a multi-million dollar development in New Lynn include potential for 1800 new homes, 40,000 square metres of business area and a wetland park. The Crown Lynn development will be on the site of the famous former pottery works of the same name between Clark St and Margan Ave. Auckland Council will allocate $5.7 million to the project when it's adopted into the long term plan on June 28. It was welcome news for the area's businesses when they were first told about the project a year ago but they're now concerned about the lack of consultation of the planned expansion, Placemakers operator John Sullivan says. "I wish we knew more about what was happening. The last I heard they were planning medium density housing but beyond that I don't really know what is going on," Mr Sullivan says. "If there is all this new housing in the area it could be great for business." Whau Local Board chairman Derek Battersby says the plans haven't changed much. "After just hearing those concerns I think it is a good idea to invite locals to an information evening and let them know what is happening," he says.

New Lynn Business Association chairman Dinesh Mani says it was a difficult time for the council during the transition in 2010 but the consultation process was positive. "It's true we haven't heard anything in the last 12 months but when we did hear from them the information evenings were done very well," he says. "It's going to be a difficult time for some during the building but in the end it will be worth it for the local businesses." Deputy mayor Penny Hulse says New Lynn is already looking like a modern city. "By the time the council and our partners are finished it will be a jewel in Auckland's crown," she says. "The new park will also be an aptly named gem and I am proud of the council for committing to such a big infrastructure investment." New Lynn has been identified in the long term plan as a metropolitan centre and priority growth area. Mr Battersby says New Lynn is set to become one of the most important town centres for Auckland.

 

[Guest]

MERCHANT QUARTER

The new year is bringing exciting new developments for New Lynn with work starting on two further regeneration projects in mid-January 2012. Auckland Transport is starting work on transforming the tired and under-utilised back street of McCrae Way into a pedestrian-friendly shared space, while work begins on a large, architecturally-designed, commercial development on Totara Avenue, outside the New Lynn transport interchange. The latter is a joint venture between Auckland Council and Infratil Infrastructure Property Ltd that will deliver a 299-space public car parking building and 7000 square metres of commercial and retail space, including a new medical centre. The multi-million dollar building contract has been awarded to Hawkins Construction.

The McCrae Way redevelopment will be delivered by contractor Dempsey Wood. Both projects will be completed by the end of 2012. The area, behind the New Lynn War Memorial Library and opposite the new rail and bus interchange, is a key part of New Lynn’s on-going urban regeneration. In the New Lynn Urban Plan, this area falls within the Merchant Quarter precinct, which looks to provide a vibrant and walkable mixed-use environment that attracts both visitors and business investment. McCrae Way, running through the heart of the Merchant Quarter, will become an important shared space street, providing new connections to Great North Road and Totara Avenue and access to the new commercial development and parking building. The slow-speed, pedestrian friendly zone will have design elements similar to the shared space opened in Totara Avenue West in September and will include a new urban Merchant Square.

The newly created space will not only provide new business opportunities in the heart of New Lynn but will provide a safe and attractive environment for New Lynn residents, visitors and workers. It will also be sympathetic to existing heritage buildings. Eventually, McCrae Way will also join Totara Avenue West via a planned McCorquindale Lane (named after former New Lynn Mayor and local business owner, the late Jack McCorquindale), which will be built on land at 24 Totara Avenue. The redevelopment will result in the loss of some parking spaces, but these will be more than made up for by the construction of a new public parking building at 30 Totara Avenue. The existing taxi rank in McCrae Way is to be relocated to new bays on Memorial Drive, closer to the rail station.

Access for Police and existing businesses off McCrae Way will be maintained. The new developments build on a number of transformational projects delivered in central New Lynn since September 2010, including the award-winning transport interchange, the newly opened Clark Street extension and Totara Avenue shared space and the redeveloped Todd Triangle and Gardner Reserve. Auckland Transport is also seeking feedback on its plans to upgrade New Lynn’s Great North Road (between Clark Street and Memorial Drive) and Delta Avenue to provide a more pedestrian-friendly town centre environment. The plan allows for wider footpaths, new seating and additional plantings to create a more pleasant environment for walking, shopping and socialising. Work is expected to take place between April and August 2012.

These projects are part of a wider vision to transform New Lynn into a vibrant regional town centre. Whau Local Board Chairman Derek Battersby says New Lynn’s redevelopment is “a triumph” for the local community. “The difference these projects are making to New Lynn is remarkable and we are well on our way to being able to cater for the significant population growth projected for this area in the next 50 years,” he says. “We can look forward to living in a modern, vibrant and pedestrian-friendly town centre with strong and consistent design, a mix of living, working and civic spaces and a growing economy.”

 

[Guest]

MERCHANT QUARTER | TOTARA AVENUE

 

[Guest]

This is what Infratrail are planning to develop on the old New Lynn bus terminals site, just across from the new Station. In addition to that, KIPT have bought the LynnMall site and are also planning to redevelop it.

 

[mathlete]

Loving the plans for New Lynn. Will be a great place to live and commute in a decade or so.

 

[Guest]

First stage of New Lynn’s McCrae Way upgrade completed

The first stage of Auckland Transport’s McCrae Way upgrade has been completed, opening up the western end of the development to the public. The completion of the first half of the McCrae Way redevelopment provides a new panelled concrete road surface, seating, trees and attractive landscaping, as well as new and upgraded utility services underground. It also opens up more than 50 easily accessible parking spaces behind the retail shops on Great North Road and Totara Avenue. Formerly a tired and under-utilised New Lynn back street, McCrae Way has been undergoing a transformation since the beginning of the year. It is now well on its way to becoming an important shared space street, providing improved connectivity between LynnMall and Memorial Square at the eastern end and Great North Road at the western end. Another future connection will include a spur to Totara Avenue West, but for now a small lane allows additional one-way entry from Totara Avenue West into McCrae Way.

Work on the eastern side of McCrae Way is expected to be completed before the end of the year to support the development of new commercial premises and a public parking building on the old bus station site and land and 30 and 32 Totara Avenue. A new urban Merchant Square will follow in 2013. The new slow-speed, pedestrian-friendly zone will have similar design elements to the shared space opened in Totara Avenue West last year. The McCrae Way area, located behind the New Lynn War Memorial Library, is a key part of New Lynn’s on-going urban regeneration. In the New Lynn Urban Plan, this area runs through the heart of the Merchant Quarter precinct, which looks to provide a vibrant and walkable mixed-use environment that attracts both visitors and business investment. Auckland Transport’s upgrade of New Lynn’s Great North Road (between Memorial Drive and Totara Avenue) and Delta Avenue is also well underway and due for completion in early 2013.

New Lynn residents and shoppers are encouraged to continue supporting Great North Road retailers throughout the construction period. P60 parking spaces are available on Great North Road next to the work zone, so motorists can still access the main road shops without having to parking on other streets. These are signposted and dedicated people are on hand to direct motorists to the available parking spaces. Shops are open for business as usual and footpath access is being maintained at all times. Whau Local Board chairman Derek Battersby urges the public to support New Lynn retailers impacted by the upgrade. “As is the case during any major road or public space upgrade, retailers feel the pinch when construction works deter some of their regular customers from shopping at their stores,” he says. “Please continue supporting local retailers throughout the construction period. They remain open and accessible and need our custom to survive.” Plenty of free parking is also available nearby in the large McNaughton Way carpark off Memorial Drive, the new 36-space carparking area next to the New Lynn Community Centre off Totara Avenue West, the Totara Avenue shared space street and the re-opened portion of McCrae Way (accessed from either a small one-way lane off Totara Avenue West or Great North Road next to the police station).

 

[Matt L]

I took a few photos of the changes going on in New Lynn

http://transportblog.co.nz/2012/09/22/a-visit-to-new-lynn/

 

[Guest]

Mayoral seal of approval for New Lynn transformation project

Mayor Len Brown is describing Auckland Council’s New Lynn transformation project as an outstanding success after a walkabout in the town centre. “It’s a great example of what we are creating across the city through the Auckland Plan - a quality, affordable, compact city connecting communities through outstanding, integrated transport,” says Len Brown. “This is a massive investment creating jobs for Aucklanders and one which I have no doubt will pay off.” The current $35 million stage of the transformation project includes a new Merchant Quarter and Square, a 299-space public car parking building, 7000 square metres of commercial and retail space, including a medical centre, and roading upgrades. A brownfield redevelopment precinct, Crown Lynn, is also being created. Mainly residential, it will be a mixed-use neighbourhood built around a stunning new park. New public spaces will be created, a new roading network built and major transport improvements made. In short, New Lynn is being transformed into a vibrant, metropolitan centre. By 2030, it will be a unique sustainable urban place capable of attracting and maintaining a population of 20,000 residents and 14,000 workers. The council’s transformation of New Lynn is guided by the Auckland Plan and the New Lynn Urban Plan.

 

[Matt L]

The walls of the car park are starting to go up, rusted steel but with bright yellow paint on the edges.

and between the parking building and medical centre (right) will be a new laneway. Both buildings are to have retail on the ground floor. Oh and that crossing comes straight out of the station so off a train, outside the station and across the bus interchange straight into a laneway ;-)

 

[Bealzebubbles]

Nicely done.

 

[Matt L]

It doesn't really show it in the images but the paint is quite bright and of course matches the yellow columns on the station across the road. I believe the (former) council had to fight to get the lane way in their though but at least it was done and all lines up nicely. Both buildings will also have canopies to cover the footpath/bus stops as well and looking at the images they may also match the canopies in the station.

 

[RHarris]

looks cool

 

[Guest]

Stunning, thanks Matt :cheers: Auckland's collection of contemporary architecture is growing rather rapidly now. I feel a thread coming on

 

[drosophila]

Well if that carpark means the council removes pretty all onstreet parking in the area then I guess it's acceptable, but last I was there there was still vast amounts so it's simply adding even more parking stock which I don't see as good TOD planning.

 

[AK-Sam]

I really like the building with the triangles.

Merchant Quarter is Exactly like Broadway Park in Newmarket.

 

[Matt L]

Well if that carpark means the council removes pretty all onstreet parking in the area then I guess it's acceptable, but last I was there there was still vast amounts so it's simply adding even more parking stock which I don't see as good TOD planning.

A decent chunk of on street parking is going as part of things like the Gt North Rd upgrade, the shared space on Totora Ave and quite a bit of off street parking is also going from where the McRae Way share space is going in. The council also owns most of the buildings in the merchant quarter area over time they are being knocked down and redeveloped along with the the rest of the car parks so yes it is kind of there to replace on street parking. The building is owned and being built by Infratil so it won't be a free car park either.

I am aware that one floor is going to be dedicated to the medical centre (triangle building) and the rest just general parking. I have also been told that the foundations have been designed to allow for up to 11 stories of apartments to be built on top but don't know if/when that will happen.

 

[Guest]

I don't go to the area that often so could somebody tell me whether or not there is any evidence that property owners are starting to refurbish buildings after the street upgrades ?

 

[drosophila]

I don't go to the area that often so could somebody tell me whether or not there is any evidence that property owners are starting to refurbish buildings after the street upgrades ?

I have seen some are looking better, it will be a slow process though as the mall tends to suck all the $$$ out of people's wallets leavings scraps for the shops on the streets.

 

[Matt L]

^^ Most are now actually owned by the council as they forcibly brought them so they could demolish them and build new ones.

 

[Guest]

Ok thanks, great idea for the council to buy them - this is the only way that we are going to see densification happen without too much protest