An artist's impression of the future City Focus. Photo/Supplied
The final stage of the long awaited refresh of Rotorua's City Focus could start after Anzac Day while a new name for the space is yet to be decided.
According to Rotorua district councillor and District Revitalisation portfolio leader Karen Hunt, work on the final stage of the refresh could start after Anzac Day, but the contract to complete the $1.2 million project has not yet been signed.
Work on the refresh had stalled recently because Rotorua Lakes Council was unable to find a contractor to do the work.
When complete, the City Focus will be opened up to traffic using both Tutanekai and Hinemoa Sts, while also accommodating the council's Green Corridor cycleway and pedestrians.
The project started mid-2015 with the removal of the sails covering the area and in December 2015 the old office was demolished.
"I'm thrilled to bits," she said, "I knew when all the ducks lined up we'd get it done quickly and we'll be letting businesses know what's going on when the final contract has been signed off.
"The wait has been unfortunate, but it has let people get used to the space and feedback is positive.
"We are all looking forward to the works being completed and the transformation of that much loved space to become the heart of the city we can all be proud of.
"When we have a firm date, we can let the businesses and the rest of Rotorua know."
A communication blunder by the council in July 2016 saw the City Focus prematurely renamed Manawa, which means "heart" in te reo Maori and also referred to the "eight beating hearts" - the sub-tribes of Te Arawa iwi.
"The name Manawa is yet to be decided on," Ms Hunt said.
"It's one option, with the eight beating hearts of Te Arawa, so there is deep symbolism with that name."
The council's strategy and partnerships group manager, Jean-Paul Gaston, said targets previously set by the council were subject to change until everything had been confirmed.
"Contractors and timing for stage three of the City Focus refresh have yet to be finalised, along with Farmers' Market details, and will be announced when they are confirmed.
"Local businesses will be kept in the loop."
He said the final stage of the refresh was deferred to sometime this year after consultation with inner city businesses.
But, former Rotorua mayor Grahame Hall, who had the City Focus built during his time as mayor in 1994, and who has been a vocal opponent of its redevelopment, said he hoped the council would have the courage to change the design if safety became a concern.
"They have not done the right thing, it was essential to refresh it, but not destroy it.
"Yes, we have to move on, but we had an iconic City Focus and one of the best pedestrian vehicle mixes in the country.
"It's a tragedy they want to reintroduce cars to the centre of the town and I can't see how the cycleway, vehicles and a pedestrian mix will be safe for users, particularly for our overseas visitors."
Mr Hall said he was all for change and tiding up the CBD, but the design went against every trend in the world when it came to pedestrian precincts.
"It will be extremely interesting to see how it works safety wise and if they would have enough courage to revisit it if it does not work," Mr Hall said.
City Focus refresh - Began mid-2015 - Scheduled to be finished mid-2016 - Delays in securing a contractor to do the job - Final stage of works could start after Anzac Day this year - Contract for final stage yet to be finalised