Central City Car Park launch a win for shoppers

Central City Car Park's makeover is almost complete with a relaunch planned for Saturday 17 November.

What’s light, bright and fighting crime, and sits in the middle of Whangarei’s central business district? It’s the newly-painted, freshly lit, security camera-filled Central City Car Park.

Work is just about complete on the upgrade to Whangarei’s cheapest CBD carpark on the corner of John and Robert Streets. The official launch of the revamped building on 17 November will be a festive occasion and a chance for city parkers to check out the new facility without having to pay for parking.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible into the building on opening day, so that they can see for themselves the amazing transformation of the building,” says Whangarei District Council Property Manager Mike Hibbert.

“There will be no charge for parking that day, and we’ll provide a sausage sizzle and spot prizes donated by local businesses such as Fresh, Kathmandu, Variety 1 and Paper Plus.”

Since work began on the upgrade in mid September, the walls, ceilings, columns and stairwells have been painted in vibrant ‘Love it Here’ colours of blue, green, yellow, white and orange. A new parking layout will improve flow through the building, lighting has been relocated to enhance visibility and 16 security cameras have been installed to keep an eye on parked cars and stairwells.

“Many people have avoided using the facility in the past because of its dark corners and problems with graffiti and vandalism,” Mr. Hibbert says.

“The refurbished building is now not only a safe and attractive place to park, it is also the most convenient and cost-effective central city option at only $1 an hour for unlimited hours.”

Many central city businesses have got behind Council’s promotion of the improved parking facility by providing big blue boxes into which shoppers can drop their till receipts to enter a draw to win a month’s free parking.

“People can enter as many times as they want before the winner is drawn on 17 November,” Mr.
Hibbert says.

“The lucky winner will get free parking right through to Christmas, so they can use the Central City Car Park with its convenient access to CBD shops as often as they wish during that time for Christmas shopping or parking for work.”