Emily Place Improvements Project (1)

About the project

The Emily Place improvements project aims to provide a more people-focused street. The proposed improvements align with the City Centre Masterplan which focuses on making better use of city centre spaces and improving the quality of the environment.

Why are we doing this work?

With Emily Place playing a key role in connecting the Queen Street Valley, the Learning Quarter, Quay Park and harbour edge, it was identified as well-placed for an upgrade that reallocates car-dominated space in favour of pedestrians and places for people.

The overall objectives for the Emily Place improvements project are to:

• Deliver a quality, accessible, attractive, distinctive and desirable public place.
• Create a destination that celebrates and responds to the cultural heritage and built form of the area.
• Provide a space that empowers local community-led placemaking and activation opportunities.

What's involved

This phase of the project presents a draft concept plan for Emily Place. The draft concept plan has been developed from ideas and community feedback received during the 2021 Innovating for Streets trial project and community engagement. Features outlined in the draft concept plan are expected to help achieve the right balance between the project’s overall objectives, this needs to be done within budget, and while responding to the constraints and unique opportunities of Emily Place.

Recent community consultation on the draft concept plan wrapped up in October 2023. We are currently working to summarise the feedback and data we received.

Partnering with mana whenua

Partnering with Mana Whenua on design elements will look to reflect the area’s unique and special history, finding ways that people can use spaces to celebrate and educate the community and users on the area’s cultural heritage. Heritage subject experts are also involved to ensure existing heritage features in the area are respected.

Project benefits

Better pedestrian connectivity and accessibility – it should be easier and safer to walk around Emily Place.

More reference to cultural heritage – a greater expression of cultural heritage and celebration of Emily Place’s rich history is wanted.

Lower vehicle speeds – interventions to slow vehicles would contribute to a safer and more pleasant pedestrian environment.

Improved tree health – improving the health of notable and significant trees in Emily Place and removing pest plants.

The reallocation of some space currently used for car parking – some car parking could be removed to create more space for people and green space.

Opportunities for improved interaction and enjoyment of green space – more places for people to sit, play, interact with others and enjoy the environment.

Feedback

Recent consultation and community engagement on the Emily Place draft concept plan closed in October 2023.

The project team are considering the community feedback alongside Mana Whenua and Waitemata local board input in preparing the final concept plans and business case for the project.

The team is obtaining technical input from asset owners like the council’s Parks & Community Facilities and Auckland Transport as well as other technical expertise required to inform the design.

Any changes to the design will need to meet project objectives, technical requirements, as well as operational considerations. Following this, we will establish the expected costs to make sure the design is within the budget.

We will summarise the community feedback and tell you how we used your feedback before future phases of the design happens and invite you to any further opportunities to comment on the final concept design.

Dates

A final concept plan will be developed once we have considered the feedback we received during recent public engagement.

Detailed designs and consent applications will be produced in the next phase of the project, with construction currently indicatively scheduled to begin in 2025.

Delivered by

Auckland Council.

The Emily Place improvements project is made possible by funding from the City Centre Targeted Rate.

More information

Thank you for your interest in the Emily Place improvements project. If you would like to know more about our work, you can contact us on email at:

emilyplace@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz