The reason I didn’t think that it would prompt the discussion it has is because Wachner Place, in my view, has held little appeal as a public place for a long time now.
Some years back the old RSA bowling green was proposed as a inner city green space for people to gather. Not sure where that went.
One of the things about town planning is all the best planning in the world wont make people do something.. It still comes down to peoples perception and if they dont like something they vote with their feel. The Leven St car parking building was a good example. Perfect spot close to the CBD but it never got the initial use intended for many years.
The late Ray Harper once commented that you never face a business to the west in Invercargill because of our weather patterns and I think that comment is very telling.
Lower Esk St doesn't have a great feel with the empty buildings etc and to me Wachner Place was always a bit of a band aid approach to fence off what people didnt like and hope the result was better. It has never had a busy well used feel apart from the odd event and the landscaping didn't help.
Originally the street opened up the city center to the railway station which was the major transport hub of the city. Even as the trains started to disappear it was the bus station for many years before and I think after Wachner Place was built they decided it was a dark empty spot to be dropping of passengers and changed to other places.
I get all the comments about creating a wind tunnel but smart engineering should be able to get around that.
I would like to see the clock and Wachner name survive but turn the square sideways and push the space back down to Leven St and have a decent sized square with the clock etc on one side and perhaps the I Site and food outlets on the other with seating in the middle. The railway station is an iconic building and should be on view to people as well.
Where does Mark Frood ( Great South) get his information about “ what’s best for distinction guests “? The manner the bus driver ARRIVES at their hotel door is not the determing factor of their experience in Invercargils CBD.: All THREE options get the guests to the same hotel door to alight. It’s only the bus-driver who’ll know they took an extra turn or two minutes. Mr Thomson’s needs as hotelier to bring them to the door are different to the needs of his guests ( and other visitors at other hotels/motels) whilst experiencing Invercargill.
I like , and am open to Phil Todd’s assessment. It is a “keep everything but move it back “ approach. An enhanced improved iteration of the status quo allowing a win- win for all players. Mr Todd’s “ move it back “ concept retains all, yet achieves connection with Lower Esk ( and a view of the new hotel) whilst retaining the windfree, public, pedestrianised space with columns/ tower/ windbreak the public are fighting for , where Mr Thomson’s guests can step out wallets-in -hand to discover and linger in a CONNECTED cbd with heart. Wont happen but Mr Todd’s idea is creatively in the ENHANCE camp of People -First. And People first IS what’s best for distinction hotel guests experience and for Invercargill cities economy . Visitors positive experience AFTER getting off the bus is what brings $$ .
Thanks for your article. Re the state highway thing - a place I lived in previously had a park right in the middle of town where many events were held, including weekly markets, and also housed tennis courts, museum, toilets and cinema. This park borders not one state highway but two. And never a problem ever - not even in summer when the place was jam packed. So Im not convinced about this reason for not having Wachner Place. However if at the end if it all, the council does decide to demolish WP, I like your idea of restablishing an alternative place which I hope would include preserving the pillars and clock tower. As for the wind break, yep it was erected as a form of protection from the wind. But the site of the hotel is itself problematic - no matter what is finally settled on, those poor tourists will have to battle the westerlies getting back to their digs. I’m sure they’re going to love that!
Mr Todd’s concept of “ keep it all “ just move it back is actually darn sensible I realise. I’ve just submitted passionately for wachner place. And people - first ( bus free ). But moving the barriers back is not without debate .. perhaps barriers ( like the vertical columns beside the post office ?) could be used , staggered north, south , down lower Esk. The summary is : there is passion for a people-first pedestrianised , bus-free, enhanced public space. And once that’s decided , there are lots of great ideas on the “HOW “ of enhancing !
Some years back the old RSA bowling green was proposed as a inner city green space for people to gather. Not sure where that went.
One of the things about town planning is all the best planning in the world wont make people do something.. It still comes down to peoples perception and if they dont like something they vote with their feel. The Leven St car parking building was a good example. Perfect spot close to the CBD but it never got the initial use intended for many years.
The late Ray Harper once commented that you never face a business to the west in Invercargill because of our weather patterns and I think that comment is very telling.
Lower Esk St doesn't have a great feel with the empty buildings etc and to me Wachner Place was always a bit of a band aid approach to fence off what people didnt like and hope the result was better. It has never had a busy well used feel apart from the odd event and the landscaping didn't help.
Originally the street opened up the city center to the railway station which was the major transport hub of the city. Even as the trains started to disappear it was the bus station for many years before and I think after Wachner Place was built they decided it was a dark empty spot to be dropping of passengers and changed to other places.
I get all the comments about creating a wind tunnel but smart engineering should be able to get around that.
I would like to see the clock and Wachner name survive but turn the square sideways and push the space back down to Leven St and have a decent sized square with the clock etc on one side and perhaps the I Site and food outlets on the other with seating in the middle. The railway station is an iconic building and should be on view to people as well.
And what about the columns?
They have epic significance
Our Four Pillars of Wisdom
Our collective Skills
Our collective Knowledge
Our collective History
Our collective Aspirations
The pillars inspired our very clever “dream BIG” brand
Many towns would happily pay millions for a meaningful icon like the one we are taking so much for granted that it could be levelled.
Our Four Pillars of Wisdom are far more significant and dignified than a giant cheese roll or something like that, we need to keep them
Where does Mark Frood ( Great South) get his information about “ what’s best for distinction guests “? The manner the bus driver ARRIVES at their hotel door is not the determing factor of their experience in Invercargils CBD.: All THREE options get the guests to the same hotel door to alight. It’s only the bus-driver who’ll know they took an extra turn or two minutes. Mr Thomson’s needs as hotelier to bring them to the door are different to the needs of his guests ( and other visitors at other hotels/motels) whilst experiencing Invercargill.
I like , and am open to Phil Todd’s assessment. It is a “keep everything but move it back “ approach. An enhanced improved iteration of the status quo allowing a win- win for all players. Mr Todd’s “ move it back “ concept retains all, yet achieves connection with Lower Esk ( and a view of the new hotel) whilst retaining the windfree, public, pedestrianised space with columns/ tower/ windbreak the public are fighting for , where Mr Thomson’s guests can step out wallets-in -hand to discover and linger in a CONNECTED cbd with heart. Wont happen but Mr Todd’s idea is creatively in the ENHANCE camp of People -First. And People first IS what’s best for distinction hotel guests experience and for Invercargill cities economy . Visitors positive experience AFTER getting off the bus is what brings $$ .
Thanks for your article. Re the state highway thing - a place I lived in previously had a park right in the middle of town where many events were held, including weekly markets, and also housed tennis courts, museum, toilets and cinema. This park borders not one state highway but two. And never a problem ever - not even in summer when the place was jam packed. So Im not convinced about this reason for not having Wachner Place. However if at the end if it all, the council does decide to demolish WP, I like your idea of restablishing an alternative place which I hope would include preserving the pillars and clock tower. As for the wind break, yep it was erected as a form of protection from the wind. But the site of the hotel is itself problematic - no matter what is finally settled on, those poor tourists will have to battle the westerlies getting back to their digs. I’m sure they’re going to love that!
Mr Todd’s concept of “ keep it all “ just move it back is actually darn sensible I realise. I’ve just submitted passionately for wachner place. And people - first ( bus free ). But moving the barriers back is not without debate .. perhaps barriers ( like the vertical columns beside the post office ?) could be used , staggered north, south , down lower Esk. The summary is : there is passion for a people-first pedestrianised , bus-free, enhanced public space. And once that’s decided , there are lots of great ideas on the “HOW “ of enhancing !