Redevelopment Concepts for Takaka Centrepiece | infonews.co.nz New Zealand News

Takaka residents are putting their stamp on a centrepiece of the town – the former library site in Commercial Street. Three concept plans have been drawn up for redeveloping the site into a restful green space, with seating and artworks.

The old library building burnt down in a late-night fire in October 2010. It was owned by the Tasman District Council and housed a business called Timeless Creations.

The building was a cherished part of the townscape. The Council has endeavoured to respect that heritage in the design concepts, which also incorporate ideas gathered from public submissions in late 2010. These include the use of water, open space, seating, local art and a recreational space, plus access to the future upgrade of the playground area behind.

The site is designated a Local Purpose Reserve, so any use must be compatible with “providing and retaining areas for educational, community, social or other local purposes.”

Option 1 pays tribute to Farewell Spit in the shape of the main seating. It also features raised decking with shade sails, plantings, and water features both on the Commercial Street footpath edge and along the boundary wall to help screen the fence. Special lighting will be provided for artwork.

The existing art path will remain, and seating is a gabion basket design using Takaka stone and rustic timber.

Option 2 incorporates a small stage, a water feature along the boundary fence, an art feature and a timber sleeper front wall. As with all options, the paved area will include replacing the existing pathway to where it meets the art path.

Option 3 has two entry points from Commercial Street, raised planters, seating (both standalone and around base of trees), leaning/resting poles to enjoy your coffee, trees, open pergola, and water feature made from Takaka Hill marble.

The final look of the site is now over to Golden Bay residents. Drawings of all three options are available as a download from the Council website, and are on display in the Takaka library or Takaka office, 78 Commercial Street. You can make a submission online, by post, or by email to info@tasman.govt.nz before 5.00 pm Wednesday 24 October 2012. Feedback forms are also available at the library and office.