Shop demolition to leave 'big hole'

Tauranga developer Paul Bowker overlooks the site of the potential development when it was first proposed in 2007.

A big hole will be left in Devonport Rd's retail frontage after the Tauranga City Council agreed to demolish two buildings for carparks and possible redevelopment by a major New Zealand consortium.

Demolition of the row of old shops at 90 and 98 Devonport Rd was revealed yesterday as an "internal" submission by staff to the 2015-25 Long Term Plan. The council agreed to raise loans of $130,000 in order to clear the site and convert it into carparks that would earn $35,000 a year. It was passed almost without comment except for Councillor Rick Curach who sought more information.

"I did not know much about it," he said after the meeting.

Mayor Stuart Crosby, who was also quizzed by the Bay of Plenty Times, agreed it would create a hole in the facade of Devonport Rd but said there was not much difference between a hole and having empty shops. He said the old buildings had very low earthquake compliance ratings and it would not be appropriate for the council to rent them out.

The two shops back on to the big council-owned carpark flanked by the Inland Revenue building at the end of Elizabeth St.

The council has given exclusive rights to a New Zealand consortium to investigate development of the whole 4400sq m site, including the shops to be demolished.

Mr Crosby said the council had been updated by Tauranga developer Paul Bowker whose company H&H Construction was part of the consortium. The council was told the investigation was going well and it had reached the due diligence stage.

He said the shops were purchased by the council. It was Mr Bowker's second attempt to develop the site. His new partners were Beca engineering and planning consultants, Hawkins Construction and Jasmax architects. The council has given the consortium a six-month exclusive right to investigate the feasibility of developing the site.