Durham St will be turned into a green, pedestrian-friendly student hub under a $6.1 million plan approved by the Tauranga City Council yesterday.
Street upgrades to Durham St and Durham Lane are a joint project between the council, the University of Waikato - which is building its new campus in the area - and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The council will wear the bulk of the cost - $5.62m.
![An artist's impression looking north up Durham St. Image supplied/TCC and Jasmax](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/4CUKCQT2W4LO6A65EYPOBKE42M.jpg?auth=a91572460f95d24cd3000a14f56369a77034be8d54b557ce2bf947049a764dcc&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)
Mike Thomas from Jasmax said its design included big trees, seating, "as many planter boxes as possible" and rain gardens.