On 17 November 2018 I put a new proposal for the vacant lot to the Mayor and Councillors of SWDC. I then spoke about it at the Extraordinary Council meeting on 21 November.
Proposal as follows;
I propose the Council constructs a two storey building on the portion of the site which is northwest of the Chorus duct, gravel the Chorus duct, and construct a rock garden and public seating on the southeast portion of the site.
The two storey building should contain a library and associated amenities on the bottom floor, and council office space and associated amenities on the top floor:
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On the bottom floor, a new Featherston library, including an information desk.
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On the top floor, space for council staff and a meeting room.
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I do not expect to house all the Council Staff in this location, but any specific to Featherston, and at least a whole team.
The chorus duct should be gravelled so it can be accessed when and if needed. Gravelling is the easiest and cheapest way to limit or avoid future issues with this easement.
Southeast of the Chorus duct, construct additional easy to maintain public space, e.g. a rock inspired courtyard like a Japanese rock garden. It can be used as additional space for the Town Square, and outdoor seating space for people having lunch.
There is already $10,000 set aside from the LTP 2018-28 budget for a feasibility study. This money could potentially be used for this idea, provided it included the library.
This proposal is based on my experience on the Community Board and the Wairarapa Library Service Joint Committee. It is an updated version of my Town Square proposal in 2015, also including new information based on communication with various members of the Community.
What does this proposal solve?
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Featherston library space issues
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council building space with expanding council staff numbers
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wind issues when using the town square
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staffing and opening hours of the information centre
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additional commercial space
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ratepayer morale
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sharing economic advantages
Why do I think we should decentralise / separate out Council?
Working in different locations is very common in Central Government. It brings teams of people into locations they would not normally work. By spreading out the teams in Council, all three towns will benefit from their presence, both economically (coffees, lunches, and shopping) and by boosting local morale by increasing easier access to Council staff in each town.
Keeping a meeting room in each location and equipping it with modern teleconferencing equipment will allow easy communication between office spaces and give an opportunity for locals to use teleconferencing facilities in their businesses.
Why include the Information Centre?
I suggest this is important based on the example of the Carterton Library. There, one desk acts as a front desk for the Library, council reception for staff based in the building, as well as the Events Centre and the Information Centre. The latter keeps up to date information for events both in Carterton and around the Wairarapa.
This seems to be the most reasonable solution for the range of issues, including the maintaining of volunteers, its opening hours and its ability to provide professional services, which are currently challenging the Information Centre.
Other Benefits
A building in the proposed location would also provide a wind barrier for the Town Square, making that space more pleasant to be in during high wind.
A Japanese rock garden aligns well with several aspects of Featherston’s character and history, and would be relatively easy to maintain.
What about the empty library building and the Old Courthouse?
I suggest that they be maintained by council, but leased out for commercial space. This would provide at least two additional shop spaces in a part of the main street with currently few shops. It would also provide an income for the council that could go towards keeping those buildings maintained.
While I’m fond of this proposal I can see that it would benefit from some minor adjustments.
I just want to get it out there so its not forgotten as the Featherston’s Vacant Lot Project Team gathers ideas.
Featherston Zen Garden 