Brian Kelly: Waterfront to be proud of

I was surprised to read a story in the Bay of Plenty Times last week about yet another plan for Tauranga's Strand Reclamation.
And this one revolves around a children's playground.
The last children's attraction that council built on The Strand reclamation cost more than $200,000 and I don't think many people even know it's there.
I am talking of the water spout/fountain. Hardly an attraction to bring the kids downtown.
I would hate to think of how much money has been spent on consultants and architects drawing up plans for The Strand Reclamation over the past 10 years or so, and have any come to fruition? No.
Apart from the so-called fan area at the southern end of the reclamation and the small bit of green area and the water spout just over the railway line The Strand Reclamation has to be the world's most picturesque carpark.
There have been some wonderful plans put forward over the past few years by various interested groups like the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and Priority One but nothing seems to happen.
Why don't our city leaders make a decision and get on with it?
The Strand Reclamation is one of the most beautiful places in our city, and what do we do with it? We park cars on it.
Most other cities in New Zealand that are blessed with such an attractive area have turned it into a family friendly, tourist area. Several examples that come to mind are Whangarei and what they call their Town Basin. That's been developed into a public walkway/cafe area where yachts are moored and families can stroll along and enjoy the natural beauty of their harbour and at the same time dine on the waterfront.
Another city that turned wasted, run-down waterside property into a public walkway is Wanganui.
They went to a considerable effort turning the area from Hattricks Wharf to an area south of the town bridge into a wonderful walkway.
Wellington has done the same along its waterfront and only last weekend Auckland opened the newly developed Wynyard Wharf area complete with an operating tram service. Along with The Cloud and Party Central on Auckland Queens Wharf, the waterfront there is a shining example of what a city can do.
They are now developing some of the old buildings across from the wharves into restaurants and bars so by World Cup time that will become a real tourist attraction.
Travel overseas and see what's been done on the waterfronts in Melbourne, Sydney Singapore ...
So what's wrong with us here in Tauranga? Why hasn't The Strand been developed?
Obviously it's got a lot to do with money but I would see that as an investment in our city. It's a classic case of "build it and they will come".
Many of the bars and cafes along The Strand have been struggling for the past few months. A number have closed their doors. I counted four properties that had for lease signs on their windows last week.
The potential of the whole Tauranga Strand/ Reclamation area is huge. I cannot understand why The Strand roadway itself is not closed and turned into a pedestrian friendly zone - they do it for the Jazz Festival - why not do it all the time?
There is nothing worse than sitting at an outside table at a Strand cafe and a constant stream of noisy vehicles with fat exhausts cruise by. Coupled with that, the view across the road over the railway track and into a carpark. Tacky.
I know there is not a lot we can do about the railway track unfortunately but we can certainly turn the world's most picturesque carpark into something that is family friendly.
The potential for our downtown waterfront is huge but let's stop the talking and get it done. Do it once and do it right. It is badly needed.
Let's give Tauranga a waterfront we can be proud of.