to 64 - Palmerston North City Council

Fitzherbert AvenueSouth of the Ring Road, Fitzherbert Avenue is a Major ArterialRoad linking the city centre to the Manawatū River, MasseyUniversity campus and to the South of the North Island. TheCCF suggests that the section of Fitzherbert Avenue betweenFerguson Street and Church Street is re-configured making asignificant shift in the way people experience and enter thecity centre form this Southern Gateway.This section of Fitzherbert Avenue is proposed to become a‘Place’ focused street, with a reduction of vehicular dominatedenvironment, increase of active frontage and additional treesand vegetation. This shift in character will help create a vibrantand distinctive gateway and connection on this Southern sideto the city centre.Views towards the Square (in particular the Clock Tower) fromalong Fitzherbert Avenue help to enhance the experience ofarriving into the city centre and are an important part of howpeople connect with the city centre travelling in from theSouth. The site brief for Strategic Development Site 3 outlinesthe opportunities for properties along this part of Fitzherbertto contribute to transforming this street to a high qualityentrance experience to the city centre.Cuba StreetThe CCF suggests a linear park along Cuba Street from theArena Manawatu main entrance through to the intersectionwith George Street. From this intersection to Rangitikei Street,Cuba Street is intended to be a Place street.The potential linear park will directly interrelate with the recentwork implemented at the intersection between George Streetand Cuba Street where people and activity occupy space,already transforming this section of Cuba Street in a Placefocus street.The linear park straddles the Ring Road (Pitt Street) givingstrong visual priority to this East-West connector and providinga continuous green corridor between the Arena and the top ofGeorge Street. This is an important signal to visitors that theyhave entered a city centre.The potential linear park will play an important role in the waypeople experience the city centre as they enter alongthis route.Rangitikei StreetRangitikei Street plays an important role for people travellingin and out of the city centre form the North. The street linksState Highway 3 to the city centre.Views toward the city centre are dominant along this route asyou approach the city travelling from the North. These viewshelp visitors orientate themselves as they approach the citycentre. The Clock Tower (and lighting at night) in particular is akey signal. View towards the Clock Tower from Rangitikei Streetshould be enhanced and protected to ensure that visualconnections toward the city centre remain.Strategic Development site 1 is positioned on the corner ofRangitikei Street and the Ring Road. Future development ofthis corner plays an important role in this entrance experience.The site brief outlines the opportunities for development onthis site.The section Rangitikei Street between the Ring Road and KingStreet is proposed to be focussed on both Movement andPlace, enhancing the sequence of arrival into the city centre.The most significant transformation for this NorthernConnector is reconfiguring Rangitikei Street between KingStreet and The Square to become a ‘Place’ focussed streetdirectly connecting into the King Street, Cuba Street andThe Square.Main Street andTransport HubIn the short-term the long distance (interregional) coachservices are being consolidated to a new off street facility onMain Street. For many, this will provide a first impression of thecity centre so the quality of this experience is therefore a highpriority. Connections to and from the facility are an importantfactor as is a legible and quality pedestrian environment.The Airport LinkThe Airport is an essential element of the city’s transportinfrastructure and is essential to the continued operation ofthe city as a distribution centre. It also represents an increasingimportant mode of transport for the communityEnsuring there is a clear, legible and appropriate transportroute to and from the airport has a crucial role in delivering awelcoming experience for visitors and residents of PalmerstonNorth. The Ring Road and Rangitikei Street are the main waysof accessing the airport for the city centre.63DRAFT CCF FOR PALMERSTON NORTH key directions [ kd9 entrance experience ]