CIVIC CENTRE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 14, 12 October 1943, Page 4

CIVIC CENTRE

Combined Committee’s Plan

For Wellington

MEETING WITH COUNCIL TOMORROW

The question of having the best possible open civic centre for Wellington has engaged the attention of the Citizens’ Combined Committee, representative of various civic bodies, which has given close study to the matter. The following statement of the aims of the committee was made to “The Dominion” by Mr. 11. S. B. Fletcher, chairman of the committee: — With the necessity for reconstructing so many cities of the world as a result of war damage, the question of long-term planning has come very much to the fore. Wellington has been spared from damage by enemy action, but the severe earthquakes of last year have made it imperative that certain buildings -be demolished and new ones erected. This particularly applies to the building at the corner of Cuba and Mercer Streets containing the City Engineer’s department. In view of this being forced on the city, it was natural that the whole question of a civic centre should be considered before any construction proposal was decided on. The city -architects and engineer prepared a plan which was published some time ago. It provided for the building of an administration block on the area west of the Town Hall and now occupied by the old Education Board building and the old Public Library. The Citizens’ Combined Committee went as a deputation to the City Council and strongly stated the opinion that the area should be kept free from buildings and retained as an open space for posterity. The main reason for this was because the site is protected and more suitable for the purpose in every way whereas the council’s plan provided for an open space facing Jervois Quay which is-open to the full force of all the winds that blow.

The committee made it plain that it was actuated by a desire to obtain the best possible plan for the civic centre and it felt this would best be.achieved by calling for competitive designs. If this were done and the appointed judges considered that no one design was ideal, then the best features of all designs could be consolidated into one plan which would undoubtedly meet with the approval of the majority of citizens. As a tangible expression of their faith in this method, the committee commissioned an architect to prepare an alternative proposal and this we now publish for consideration. The plan suggested provides for a new facade to the west side of the Town Hall with a dais that would be. used on ceremonial and special occasions. It also provides for a Little Theatre for repertory productions. This is placed at the left side of the plan and facing v ictona Street, which is close to the main thoroughfare, Willis Street, and could be reached under cover of verandas. Ihe administration block is visualized as being opposite the front of the Town Hall, where are now the buildings occupied by Smith and Smith Ltd. and. others. This block would house the council chamber, the mayor’s offices and all the council departments —engineers, electricity, tramways, etc; Provision is also made for a fine, up-to-date building to contain the city health officer and clinics associated with his work. Mercer Street, which carries very little through traffic, would be closed and thrown into the open space which would be capable of great beau.ifleation and would be a magnificent setting for the new public library. The suggested scheme has considerable merit and it is presented for the consideration and approval of the people of Wellington, who now have an opportunity to preserve for all.time an area for lest and contemplation in ordinary times and a place worthy of special occasions, representatives of the combined committe are meeting the city council on Wednesday next and it is anticipated that the council will find the committee s plan will demonstrate that worthy alternatives exist and the best possible designs may be achieved through an open competition.