New public space at the Viaduct
A dining table almost twice the length of a cricket pitch will feature in a newl public space on Auckland’s waterfront.
Public car parking will be removed from Eastern Viaduct from 26 March to improve safety and prioritise the space for pedestrians and cyclists.
In its place will be food trucks, seating and a 35-metre-long table with information about the development of the city’s waterfront, designed to get people sharing food and ideas about the future of Auckland.
Returning the space to the public
Waitematā Local Board Chair Pippa Coom says, “With the waterfront becoming an increasingly popular destination for Aucklanders and visitors, it’s great to see Panuku responding to the need to make Eastern Viaduct a safer and more attractive place for people to linger and move through.
“The change is the realisation of the 2012 Waterfront Plan, where the intention to return this space to the public and improve the connection between the waterfront corridor and Wynyard Quarter was first outlined.”
A karakia led by Ngati Whatua will be held at 8am on Monday (26 March) before the space is opened to the public.
Street furniture including the table, which will be constructed on site, will be installed in the following days.
Have your say on how the space is used
The space will provide flexibility for public uses and in the coming months there will be opportunities for you to feedback on what you think of the new layout.
Planning committee chairman Chris Darby says the change will encourage more Aucklanders to explore the area, which currently sees about 1.9 million people pass through it each year.
“In testing the design of the space, the public is invited to contribute to the creation of a quality public realm, allowing them a unique opportunity to collaborate in deciding how a prime piece of the city’s waterfront is shaped in the future," he says.
“Without public parking, the area is safer and provides a better experience for visitors to the waterfront.”
Parking changes
Just under 50 public car parking spots will be removed from Eastern Viaduct. Access for authorised vehicles will remain to allow marine and business activities to continue to thrive in the area.
Parking for berth holders will remain unchanged and service vehicles will be permitted access to deliver to businesses and restaurants on Viaduct Harbour.
The nearest public parking is in Downtown car park, which has more than 1900 spaces including 19 mobility car parks. More mobility car parks are available on Princes Wharf and in Wynyard Quarter.