Editorial: Wharf makeover must not be rushed

Opinion

When the Government agreed to go halves with the Auckland Regional Council in the purchase of Queens Wharf, the Prime Minister said the city's leaders would have to move swiftly to transform the wharf into a world-class waterfront attraction for the Rugby World Cup 2011. That was June 15. More than two months later, the city leaders have invited design ideas from anyone, amateur or professional.

The prospectus requires a cruise ship terminal and open space as well as facilities for the World Cup's "party central". The design should also keep faith with the historic elements of the wharf and its character. Hotels, apartments, offices and large-scale retail space are not wanted. Otherwise the brief is wide open. Entries must be in by September 11.

That is less than three weeks away. The city's leaders expect interested citizens to come up with something stunning in a third of the time it has taken their councils to issue the design invitation. Or perhaps they do not want something stunning. Their own visions for the wharf have been strikingly dull. The Auckland City Council wants to tart up the two cargo sheds that have blighted the waterfront for nearly a century, the Auckland Regional Council would be content with a suitably glassy terminal and a new coat of asphalt.

The three-week design exercise sounds like a token nod to public participation before the councils and the Ministry of Economic Development get down to the serious business of negotiating with architects and engineers. The contest winners will be announced on September 25, then eight teams will be chosen to prepare detailed designs and the one ultimately chosen will be announced in November.

The World Cup facilities must be ready by September 2011. A certain amount of work will be necessary to make full use of the wharf for the event. But the World Cup should not be the ultimate consideration for that wonderful amenity in the centre of the downtown waterfront.

Once opened to the public and provided with a modicum of facilities under shelter, the wharf's location alone would be sufficient to make it a focus of festivities around the World Cup. With big television screens, temporary seating, a sound stage and well-designed spaces for outdoor eating, drinking and dancing, it would be the sort of "live site" that has become almost as important as stadiums for major world sporting events these days.

But the World Cup will not need a new cruise terminal, if that is to be the dominant building on the wharf. It is doubtful that cruise passengers need a big terminal at the best of times. It is not like an airport where passengers and bags must be processed for multiple flights throughout the day. Cruise passengers have much more time to board or leave their ship and do not need to wait in terminals.

A kiosk at the gangway can be sufficient. It would certainly serve if cruise ships are to be tied up at Queens Wharf for the duration of the World Cup. The most urgent need for their passengers and all revellers on the wharf during a September-October event would be some sort of canopy. An interesting design, offering shade and shelter, has already been floated by Auckland architects Copeland Associates. It is a stretched fabric, lightly supported, that could be shaped to resemble waves or other shapes over the length of the wharf.

It would do. And it could easily be replaced if something more splendid is conceived. Auckland needs something magnificent on this wharf and the conception of it cannot be rushed. The World Cup is a welcome spur to a suitable project but whatever design is chosen must not compromise the wharf's possibilities for the sake of a single event. Would-be designers should think bigger.