Work to fix the uneven surface on parts of Eat Streat's central walkway gets under way today.
A smooth cobblestone surface is being laid to replace wooden boards which have warped in some places. The work should take 10 working days to finish.
Rotorua District Council economic & regulatory services group manager Mark Rawson said the finished walkway surface would be attractive, safe, and able to bear the weight of a fully loaded fire tender or ambulance if needed in an emergency.
Construction is under way on the final phase of Eat Streat. The front page photo shows councillor Karen Hunt, who says the street has been worth waiting for. Photo/Stephen Parker
"While a replacement timber surface option was identified by the project's architects, that option would have taken two to three months for manufacturing and installation, and would be many times more costly than the cobblestone solution of around $30,000.
"Using cobblestones means we can swiftly respond to public safety issues, limit disruption to Eat Streat businesses and customers, and minimise cost.
Access to cafe and restaurants' outdoor areas would remain available to customers throughout the final phase of work, he said.
Most work on the final phase of the Eat Streat development is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Glass panelling along the roof structure is currently being fitted while installation of wooden dividers to separate outdoor business spaces should be finished within two weeks.
Council inner city enterprises manager Nick Dallimore said the dividers were a metre-high and provided a demarcation between restaurants.
Installing timber windbreaks at either end of the street also starts this week.
Image 1 of 15: Eat Streat redevelopment. PHOTO: Stephen Parker
Mr Dallimore said the larger windbreak would be at the Pukaki St end of Eat Streat as that was predominantly the direction wind came from.
A smaller version would be installed at the lake end, he said.
Image 1 of 3:
Final touches to underfloor geothermal heating gets under way in the next few days with the innovative heating system ready for use by the end of the month.
Mr Rawson said completion of the last phase meant precise measuring for retractable roofing over outdoor dining spaces could now take place for those restaurants purchasing the overhead cover. Manufacturing retractable roofing would take 10 to 12 weeks and installation was expected before the end of June.
Ambrosia Restaurant & Bar owner Kris Beehre said he was looking forward to completion of the project.
"Business has certainly improved as a result of the development and it will improve even more when the job is fully complete," he said.
Inner City Revitalisation Strategy leader Councillor Karen Hunt said she was excited the finishing post was in sight.
"Businesses in Eat Streat have been co-operative and patient during the long construction period. However the way local and out-of-town customers have been enthusiastically embracing the new outdoor dining concept - even before it's fully complete - suggests it's been well worth waiting for."
