*The building's "refurbishment" is substantially the same as the earlier plans for which consents are in place and complies with WDC's 20/20 plan/vision.
*Requires less ratepayer money overall, but relies on funding already pledged to the former project, and $10million raised privately and through grants.
*It will pay for its running through tourism and other charges.
*Has been sanctioned by the Hundertwasser Foundation (not for profit) in Vienna.
*Fully endorsed by the Maori Advisory Panel, which also backed the WDC proposal.
*Substantially supported by community groups and leaders from tourism, education, arts and cultural sectors around Northland and beyond, and New Zealand's ambassador to Austria.
*It does not require WDC gifting the building to an outside player but leased at peppercorn rates to a council-controlled organisation (CCO), and operated by Whangarei Art Museum Trust.
*The Maori connection adds depth and cultural authenticity.
*It will kick start Whangarei's future, socially and economically.
Arts Maritime Play (AMP)
This "playful" proposal seeks to build on the site's existing fundamentals -- its critical location, maritime heritage and local relevance; in parlance Whangarei has come to hear so often, a sense of place.
It would be known as the Voyaging and Visual Arts Centre.
It's not clear who is behind AMP, but they propose multipurpose spaces inside and outside, some commercially operated, reaching along and even into the Hatea River and into the city. The proposal is deliberately not a fully commercial undertaking but has a strong ethic of financial responsibility, offering bang for bucks, the proponents say.
While this plan, like the other three under further consideration, meets the council's 20/20 Vision criteria, and focuses on possibilities for a remarkable public space, at face value it seems lighter on details, broader in scope.
It features:
*Architecture that "respects the integrity" of the old building and "reconnects with its harbour".
*A roof deck anchoring the structure into the wider setting with viewing platforms and connecting bridges.
*A lower level dedicated to contemporary and ancient voyaging, with a star dome and other interactive wizardry taking visitors through ancient navigation systems and a stormy waka ride.
*Seminar facilities, rentable office and shop spaces.
*Permanent and visiting exhibition galleries and education facilities on the upper floor.
*Integrated reference and access to surrounding area, with enhanced outdoor areas including water access, and a future footbridge across Dent St.
*Income potential includes rents, entry fees to some indoor and outdoor activities, entry donations and sales commissions.
*Some costs would be privately resourced, others publicly funded.
*The AMP plan does not consider ownership of the building a decision maker or breaker regarding the plan's concepts.
Harbour Board building
Architectural designers and engineers Underwood King haven't given their plan a pretty name and refer to the building's "conversion" and a seismic retrofit requiring structural diaphragms.
They say the current building has little architectural merit other than part of its facade, promise to make the "absolute maximum" of the footprint and site, and argue the meaning of "iconic". A building can become iconic but you can't declare it is iconic, they explain. Heritage and iconicity are not the same thing: the first evolves, the second usually requires money and buy-in. The site and geographic qualities, though, could be iconic.
The Gary Underwood/Peter King proposal calls for:
*Two galleries: one devoted to Maori art, possibly connected to Auckland Art Museum; the other emphasising Whangarei's maritime life, and a satellite relationship with Auckland Maritime Museum.
*A cafe, small bar, top-floor restaurant, small theatre and a roof terrace that can be hired out for functions.
*Income estimated at $145,000 a year from rents and admissions, and not including income from the two Auckland museums' functions and exhibits.
*Governance will be by the Whangarei District Council and match the structure for Whangarei Art Museum.
*The cost of development will be $3.19million, excluding the costs of fitting out a bar and cafe.
*Other activities at the Town Basin such as relocating the Whangarei Farmers Market to the Canopy Bridge or a dedicated roofed pavilion, and having a local seafood market.
*Community art activities such as an art wall facing the alleyway, painted in competition style in the week of the sculpture symposium.
*Consultation with stakeholders (such as WAM) -- with goodwill and the details finalised, work could start in six months.
Harbourside
Future Whangarei has given its proposal the working title of Harbourside so there's no surprise that it, too, emphasises location, location, vocation.
This submission is from a group of interested community, arts, promotions and business folk who want to maintain the heritage features of the old building, transforming it into what they claim will be New Zealand's first "specifically designed, multipurpose, multimedia arts centre that celebrates them (area's) maritime and marine history". Where Prosper Northland said its scheme was "game changing" the Harbourside designers call their's paradigm-shifting. Harbourside, whose proposal is full of "firsts", says:
*The building is iconic and any development must respect its current style.
*It will cost between $6.5 million and $8million to create.
*Operating costs could be $520,000 (twice what WAM currently costs), offset by admissions, sales and other fees income.
*It will house Whangarei Art Museum, freeing up that building for other public use.
*Its ownership and Harbourside's development must stay with the Whangarei District Council, possibly managed through a CCO.
*Funding will largely come from Government, Lotteries and cultural/arts grants, with the Maori Art Gallery a main hook.
*It will support the development of the Hihiaua Cultural Centre to provide an authentic sense of place in the precinct.
*It will show off Whangarei's UFB capacity with New Zealand's first purpose-designed digital arts centre.
*The building and surrounds will host and collaborate with a number of creative disciplines -- music, writing, film, digital, etc.
*With minimal structural change to the building, Future Whangarei believes it could be open in 15 months.
*Extensive landscaping will include a slope down to the river, visual connections, an area suitable for Christmas in the Park and other outdoor events.
