Experts to revamp Hastings Civic Square | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

A University of Auckland professor, Andrew Barrie, is among the seven members of a panel that will assess designs and plans for revamping Hastings Civic Square.

Barrie, who is the professor of design architecture at the university, grew up in Horowhenua and has studied business and architecture extensively in Japan.

He is joined on the panel by Kerstin Thompson, professor of design at the School of Architecture at Victoria University in Wellington, Hawke's Bay landscape architect Georgina Throw, Hawke's Bay artist Jacob Scott, Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre executive director Tama Huata as well as Hastings District Council members Margaret Twigg and Cynthia Bowers.

The council has set up a competition asking design professionals to submit their ideas for the redevelopment project, which includes the Hastings District Library, the Hastings City Art Gallery and the adjoining park area, a space of almost two hectares.

The council has developed a set of themes to use as guidelines for the project. which include provision for new retail activities that encourage people to stay and spend money in the city.

It will have to be a design that draws people into the front doors of the gallery and the library as well as into the nearby park courtyard.

The council is also looking for a plan that will provide a "marker or entry statement" at the end of Karamu Rd where it meets Civic Square.

There will also have to be areas that can accommodate events, entertainment and promotions, to "add colour" to the area.

The council wants better connections between Civic Square and Eastbourne St, which in particular could give prominence to the cenotaph.

The council said the budget available for the development of Civic Square was being considered as part of its long-term plan, which is due for review next year.

About $50,000 has been spent to date on the investigations and planning of the project and about $7million has been set aside for the entire project.

Submissions for the design competition will close at the end of January.

The panel will then select its top three designs and pass them to the council which will put those plans out for public comment as part of the long-term plan.