An iconic local sports store has shut its door this week – citing a lack of foot traffic in downtown Tauranga as the reason behind their close.
Wright Sports, which has been operating in the Bay for nearly 40 years, is becoming a web-store only following a steadying decline in sales during the last year, says owner Sandra Young.
Wright Sports owners Sandra and Richard Young have been forced to shut up shop. Photo by Bruce Barnard.
'Online seems to be the way things are going. With no foot traffic, everyone buys online so we went with the trend.”
Another factor, she says, has been pay and display parking, a deterrent for local shoppers who can have free space at any of the city's shopping centres.
'Everyone complains they won't come to down because of the parking,” says Sandra. 'With all the free parking at the Mount, Greerton, Papamoa, Bethlehem, they think: ‘Why should I have to pay to come into town?'
'Town is just dying. There are so many empty premises – particular on Willow St. Even when we had our closing down sale, the weekend was busy, but during the week you wonder why you bother.”
Mainstreet Tauranga board chairman Glenn Tuck says its sad news to hear of such an iconic business closing, but refutes the idea that it's a localised problem; more just a reflection of changing shopping habits.
'When you consider that 5000-6000 thousand people come into the city every day to work and there is never enough parking, the foot traffic has not necessarily slowed down, just changed.
'As has the retail experience. How people buy has changed dramatically in recent years, and that is having an effect on certain types of retail.”
He adds that Tauranga City Council has a policy in place to keep clear statistics of the occupancy of all parking and adds once it reaches a certain level. A $29 million parking building is included in the 10-year plan.
Glenn cites upcoming events in the Downtown Tauranga as a sign of its growth, with a full calendar for the rest of 2015, including a festival around the upcoming Wharf Street Dining Precinct.
Wright Sports new web-store can be found at www.wrightsports.co.nz
86 comments
CBD misfits?
Posted on 04-07-2015 15:22 | By YOGI BEAR
TCC are it, cant stop messing with the place and wen all is gone except them they will then only wonder why?
No customers?
Posted on 04-07-2015 15:29 | By YOGI BEAR
That is because there is no parking, so not people, so no customers. I am sure TCC will rush in and buy up the business and employ twice as many staff to remedy that closure.
Totally Misguided by Rrule Books.
Posted on 04-07-2015 15:51 | By Robert
Down town is knackered. Has been for years and only ratepayer subsidies donated by the council keep it alive.
Robert
Posted on 04-07-2015 16:18 | By YOGI BEAR
The CBD is becoming a ghost town, with the majority of citizens shopping elsewhere because it is better, cheaper and free car parking, get the message TCC and get the heck out of the CBD and stay out.
Parking
Posted on 04-07-2015 16:26 | By patricia1955
I live At the Mount and when my kids were little shopped in Tauranga all the time and always paid for parking meters. Paying for meters is not the issue, the lack of parking is. It doesn't matter when you go to Tauranga evening on a Monday or Tuesday evening there is no parking. I would shop there every week if parking was available. Taking it away from the Strand was the biggest mistake.
You think it's bad now
Posted on 04-07-2015 16:32 | By s83cruiser
Wait until the new shopping complex opens up at the Lakes. personally I wont shop in the inner city area because I am afraid of being raped by a parking warden if I go a couple of minutes over my time. As a rate payer I get screwed enough by the TCC for rates as it is so I will not contribute any more to the TCC I wont add to it's fund through extortive parking finds. Sorry business owners in the city.. Thank the council for me taking my business to a more user friendly part of TGA.
YOGI
Posted on 04-07-2015 17:22 | By R1Squid
How about proof-reading your 'posts' before posting them. Sometimes they make no sense at all!
Last
Posted on 04-07-2015 17:45 | By Theway
one out, turn off the lights!
Needs a change at the top
Posted on 04-07-2015 17:56 | By Merlin
It is all about money not the public.Perhaps we need a change at the top.Where there is free parking the major national retailers go followed by speciality shops.An example of this is the new complex at Tauriko and also Bayfair and Bethleham that's where I shop.
Do any of you travel overseas?
Posted on 04-07-2015 19:35 | By How about this view!
Central city environments are for business; Lawyers, accountants, professional offices. They in turn attract food and beverage providers for Coffee, lunch and dinner. The shopping is done in the destination big malls and shopping centres. Where we have gone wrong is allowing the professionals to convert domestic housing into business offices around town, instead of in town. We will spend millions of dollars propping up mum and dad operations that will forever complain about not having customers and paying too much in rates. Bring BUSINESS back into the Central BUSINESS District.
Excessive rental
Posted on 04-07-2015 20:56 | By pedror
The rents in the CBD are excessive and retailers try to make a profit by selling goods at high margin prices to recover operating costs. Until the rents become competitive and landlords accept lower yield businesses will keep closing.
Hard for some to understand the CBD is actually growing
Posted on 04-07-2015 22:43 | By Steve Morris
When the lakes shopping precinct is complete, residents in almost every suburb will have to drive past two shopping malls on their journey to the CBD. It is the central business district; it has not been the central retail district for a long time. Some struggle to understand that fact. Tauranga's CBD has professional services and high-value commercial business growth that leaves other regional centres green with envy. Tauranga CBD GDP growth has exceeded New Zealand's over the last ten years too. Yes it's difficult for the types of retail that compete against malls. The option to move into a mall for some is unaffordable as those retail centres charge retailers for the provision of parking through their leases whereas it is the council that provides parking In the CBD. Whether you pay $1 at a parking meter or $2 markup at a mall, consumers still pay for parking
SORRY (for the CBD retailers)
Posted on 04-07-2015 22:48 | By The Caveman
But why would I shop in the CDB and pay parking fees (and fines for being 5 minutes late back to my car) when I have 6-7 other places that I can shop with NO parking fees and NO fines for being 5 minutes over time. AND its going to get even worse with the CDB becoming a Polytec/Uni, full of student cars in the streets around the CDB. Retailers might as well shut up shop now (or as soon as their leases expire) Sorry land/building owners, but you will do better knocking your one/two level buildings over and running car parks for the students.
Well
Posted on 04-07-2015 22:55 | By Capt_Kaveman
and you voted them in
Yawn!!!!!!
Posted on 05-07-2015 06:01 | By sambo's back
its even too late to fetch a defibrillator,wait until the students hit town courtesy of Council Chambers and T.E.C.T, imagine a C.B.D full of bars and "$value" shops with many a student willing to cock a leg on a "Hairy" statue!!!!, and still talk of spending more money on developing the waterfront, sorry its to bloody late now, the C.B.D has lost its heart and soul, to the detriment of the city!!!!.
Value offering
Posted on 05-07-2015 08:29 | By expatAucklander
As a professional on a decent salary working in the CBD I can testify that I do not shop in the CBD. Nothing at all to do with parking, shop owners simply don't offer quality. They seem to be focused on delivering cheap prices at the complete expense of offering quality. End result, I buy my suits when I am in Auckland, sportswear online from the US (delivered in less than a week) and clothing online from Auckland. Want my business? Give me something worth buying.
The real reason?
Posted on 05-07-2015 08:39 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
We used to have to go into town to the post office, see the lawyer, the bank, a movie, farmers, etc. With technology today we don't need to do these things and therefore CBD suffers!
yogi bear
Posted on 05-07-2015 09:04 | By monty1212
What are you on?
If Only....
Posted on 05-07-2015 09:25 | By Dazed and Confused
Richard and Sandra could have held out until the Dog and pony show arrived Downtown to save the world.
Steve Morris
Posted on 05-07-2015 10:54 | By Accountable
You bleat on about the same old story which really isn't telling the truth. Why should we in the CBD have to compete with the free parking allowed by Council everywhere else apart from the CBD? We know we can't compete with privately owned shopping centres. When you quote the CBD what area are you talking about? The part of the CBD I think you are talking about has free parking but for some reason Council insist on penalising the retail area and not the commercial area you are mentioning. Once again this is totally unfair isn't it. Come on Steve and lets stop twisting facts and start dealing with the truth. Honesty is the difference between a good Councillor and one that won't be elected next term.
CBD definition
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:20 | By penguin
Steve Morris appears not to understand that the B in CBD stands for Business which includes Retail.
monty1212
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:30 | By YOGI BEAR
That is easy, I am "on to it". it looks like you might work for TCC, if you are carrying some kind of torch (help all see in the dark) for this article then please do come clean.
R1Squid
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:32 | By YOGI BEAR
The odd typo means little, I am sure you are bright to get the GiST of it
Steve Morris
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:36 | By YOGI BEAR
Mall prices are generally very competitive, it is the CBD prices that are over the top, reflecting high rates and very high rents. In fact mall rents are a lot less than the CBD. Also add to that there is no major food outlet. The difference in end result is the parking costs that are already paid (should be) by rates that are 150% higher than any where else in the city.
tonyb
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:38 | By YOGI BEAR
Spot on there mate!
expatAucklander
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:41 | By YOGI BEAR
Understandable, you are a minority being on a large salary and I presume outside TCC (if you are in TCC then no surprise on the Huge salary) yes the majority of punters seek "cheap" and hence why Tauranga has many a time been referred to as "$10 Tauranga". Concrete beach instead of parking or not the rates are 150% more than elsewhere in TCC, TCC is milking the place dry and wandering why?
Dazed and Confused
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:44 | By YOGI BEAR
You are, if you believe that. The hairy dog for breakfast show will not materialize, the thousands of visitors weekly to Tauranga is at best a mirage that is of the same stature as a Waitangi claim. I think you are on to all of that.
Steve Morris
Posted on 05-07-2015 12:08 | By YOGI BEAR
Steve, I think you are confused and a little lost here, trying opening the window in the glass box that you currently reside in. That will eliminate the reflection factor that you have been mesmerized by. The CBD is slowing down, the CDB numbers you refer to are "made up" and delusionary compared to the actual in the CBD. In reality, on the ground the average shop/retailer/caf
Understand the difference between retail and business.
Posted on 05-07-2015 12:59 | By Steve Morris
The tertiary campus is providing $49m in construction with 470 students per annum plus associated high income faculty. Trustpower is moving 450 staff into their new $25m building. Consent has just been issued for a 13 storey hotel/conference centre. A consortium is looking at developing a major project on Devonport Rd. A new $20m office building for 5-600 people is being built on the edge of the CBD. Some still struggle to grasp the difference between retail vs business and that's okay, but a small minority of anonymous keyboard "heroes" literally don't want to hear this good news because they use any and every opportunity to run this city down. Perhaps they should move to Rotorua? @yogi_bear: for fact, rather than assertion read the Martin Jenkins report on the CBD starting at page six: http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=xa_FgUPRmcM%3D&tabid=1116&portalid=0
PONTIFICATING WITHOUT PROOF
Posted on 05-07-2015 14:27 | By kellbell
@ Steve Morris >yes we all take on board what you say but huge new complexes in the middle of Tauranga city bring mounting problems not least of all being traffic, parking and accessibility a toxic combination at the best of times.You talk of a recent consent for a new hotel and conference centre (whose doing it?)- is TCC paying anything toward this or providing any special favours to developers.Please spell it out for us.Perhaps it is timely to remind everyone that TCC Council in its 'wisdom' has allowed massive developments to take place without ensuring adequate on site parking is provided hence exacerbating the problems.Yes CBD retail and CBD commercial are different but they have the same adverse issues generally.Secrecy and hidden agendas don't help your cause.
Steve on the right track
Posted on 05-07-2015 14:34 | By Annalist
CBD is more than just whining retailers. Certain serial moaners have put people off coming downtown. I actually prefer shopping in the CBD rather than boring malls. The rents in malls are expensive to pay for the "free" parking and I'm told the malls clip the ticket bases on turnover?? About time people realised its not unreasonable to pay a little for parking in a major city. But I think the solution is to hand the parking management over to the retailers and for council to get out of it.
Steve Morris
Posted on 05-07-2015 15:05 | By Colleen Spiro
Don't be so arrogant.....we have lived here with business AND RETAIL in the CBD for many years successfully. It is only recently that all this business has come into the city.....Have a little empathy for some of the RETAIL businesses that have supported this city for DECADES....
@Steve Morris....
Posted on 05-07-2015 15:16 | By sambo's back
Councillor I live in the CBD!!!! I have seen first hand the death throes of the C.B.D, all your charts, graphs, power point presentations, are no different to what has been tossed at us for years, BUT wait the tide is still going out, so what time parameter shall we put on this new success story, and who will measure to see if you have failed to deliver again!!!!, when you where elected I asked how we were going to measure yours and John Robsons new regime, well the clocks ticking, and no tangible improvement yet.
Steve I think you are in la-la land?
Posted on 05-07-2015 15:31 | By YOGI BEAR
Your missing a few relevant facts that don
Steve - MkII
Posted on 05-07-2015 15:34 | By YOGI BEAR
Retail v business, outside of TCC, retail is business, business is retail. At TCC "commercial" is something that TCC pretend is really business i.e. it only needs say 60% subsidy not 90%+. The real people that were in the CBD have not been able to survive so have packed up and gone home then use the home PC to write blogs. In contrast TCC is yet to realise it is a failure and needs to pack its bags and leave the CBD.
Annalist
Posted on 05-07-2015 15:39 | By YOGI BEAR
This time mate you are off the track a lot. Even the lawyers and other professionals are leaving the CBD. This does not compensate for the small influx, in fact the incomes, foot traffic generated by those leaving is heaps more than those coming in. In fact if TCC and RBOP left the CBD then what is left? That about explains the strangulation of the CBD by the elephant in the room. There's no room left for else anyone productive and useful.
Steve Morris
Posted on 05-07-2015 15:41 | By Accountable
Should all retail should leave the CBD? The University still requires at least another $50 million signed off before it becomes a reality.The earliest the University will reach full potential is 2021. The BOP Times employed a large workforce where the TrustPower building is now being constructed and with 70 plus TrustPower employees working in the CBD now means an approximate net gain to the CBD of about 150 people when construction is completed. I would suggest you check the track record of the consent applicant for the possible hotel project. There have been people looking for possibilities within the CBD for years but nothing ever appears from these dreamers. Another fact is that two of the largest building owners in the CBD are selling their properties and there are still large businesses such as Supre and Amazon withdrawing from the CBD. Martin Jenkins quoted parking as a major proble
@kellbell
Posted on 05-07-2015 16:01 | By Steve Morris
A private sector organisation has achieved consent for building a 13 story hotel and conference centre on a private piece of land without council tipping money in. This wouldn't be done with private money without a solid business case. I don't have patience for cynicism; it's too easy to draw the curtains and anonymously criticise this city from dawn to dusk on Sunlive. Such cynics pass their ill-informed opinions off as wisdom; perhaps because it
Steve Morris
Posted on 05-07-2015 16:01 | By Accountable
The CBD may look great in 10 to 15 years time but if businesses keep leaving at the same rate that we have now there won't be anyone brave enough to start up in an empty CBD in 2030. The question of why does Council insist on parking charges in the retail area of the CBD and not in the commercial area of CBD still needs to be answered. Council spent a fortune tidying up the parking but no meters. The Councils CBD runs from 2nd Avenue to Marsh street and Cameron Road to The Strand. You can see that Steve Morris is working for his Mount/Papamoa ward and has no empathy for anywhere else in Tauranga.
yogi bear
Posted on 05-07-2015 22:37 | By monty1212
Wrong again! I have no love for TCC but am still worried about you. Verbal diarrhea or a stronger substance?
Martin Jenkins
Posted on 06-07-2015 00:51 | By YOGI BEAR
On TCC payroll, not independent, not objective. Looks like any TCC report not a lot of substance and falls in the category of "tell em what they want to hear ...".
SILENCE IS DEAFENING
Posted on 06-07-2015 08:38 | By CONDOR
SO it has gone all quiet on the Steve Morris Show and I wonder why?.Perhaps the hometruths have hit the target and he doesn't have the firepower to deflect the criticism. A tip if you can't stand the heat and won't produce the information (menu)then stay out of the kitchen.
And so on!!!!
Posted on 06-07-2015 11:04 | By sambo's back
Steve you keep throwing figures into cyber space,you think you are correct, others are entitled to disagree,the proof will be your legacy, so for your sake you had better be correct, and get off the inane school child ridiculing, as anyone can post an opinion, with or without a synonym, you have entered into the "ruck" so dont cry when most disagree with you.
monty1212
Posted on 06-07-2015 11:32 | By YOGI BEAR
What am I on? A crusade, the path to the truth, the obstacle is the evidence being withheld deliberately. You are worried about me. Don't be, my reactions are planned, desired and design deliberately, Steve has a bit to explain here and some, there are some gaps that a truck can drive through and all smacks of being "TCC programmed" I hope Steve has not befallen into the trap of many before, I would hope and expect more from him, lets hope that faith is not misplaced
CBD In mass exodus
Posted on 06-07-2015 12:09 | By YOGI BEAR
The observations of what is happening is beyond question, seeking mysterious reports to say what is "desired". Steve cant explain otherwise than as the facts of it dictate. Regardless, look forward to reading Steve's next posting, maybe he can extoll a new fact or so from within TCC and another consultants report?
Overit
Posted on 06-07-2015 12:51 | By overit
Times have changed so much from when we were kids.I believe internet shopping and all these satellite malls around Tga. have changed the need for people to come into the city. There are banks, Post shops etc in these complexes so unless you live near the City, one is likely to drop into a mall on the way home. Slowly I have seen free parking spots diminish into dotted yellow lines which fathom me.I live in Welcome Bay and get groceries at PaknSave so slipping into town is no biggie, but I do try to find free parking by walking quite a way from the fringes. I agree it seems quite expensive and it hurts when our rates keep going up.
@Condor
Posted on 06-07-2015 12:53 | By Steve Morris
let's you and I have a public debate on the issue. I'll pay for the hall, you name the time. Give me a call and we'll set it up.
Steve Morris
Posted on 06-07-2015 13:13 | By YOGI BEAR
A public meeting, what you are going to drag TCC into the public forum, have an open and transparent, accountable type meeting? maybe you need to get out of Chambers for that to happen? A meeting is a great idea, however first you need to place the information on the table that you have been asked to provide, only then can a meeting happen.
@Steve Morris....
Posted on 06-07-2015 16:05 | By sambo's back
perfect place.... Red Square around 12.30 on a Saturday.... free microphone, chaired by Devon, bring it on!!!!, thats if its a public debate you want?.
NO FACTS NO CREDIBILITY PERHAPS
Posted on 06-07-2015 17:40 | By CONDOR
Well @Steve Morris just provide the information requested that you have access too first and lets all digest that. Then we may all be on a level playing field and can decide how issues will be best approached .While you are at it also just provide a couple of examples of initiatives or projects TCC have been involved in that have resulted in successful or positive outcomes in the past 5years.
Why is retail healthy in cities that charge parking?
Posted on 06-07-2015 17:54 | By Annalist
I've racked my thoughts on this one and can only come to one conclusion. Cities with healthy retail alongside parking charges, don't have retailers who constantly score own goals by repeatedly telling folk how bad the situation is in the CBD. Healthy retailers sell goods people actually want too. If the cost of parking is really the problem how do retailers and chains do well in CBD Auckland or Wellington where parking charges are far higher than Tauranga?
Steve Morris
Posted on 06-07-2015 18:21 | By Feruno
Cut out the arrogance and listen to constructive criticism . Might also be a good idea to go and see how many empty shops the council have created with their rate hikes and all the other "milking" tactics council implement .
Anilist
Posted on 06-07-2015 19:47 | By Accountable
The difference between Auckland CBD and the Tauranga CBD is FOOT TRAFFIC. Simple as that. Auckland CBD is a major tourist city with a huge number of visitors and Tauranga is a town solely reliant on the support of its citizens.
tonyb
Posted on 06-07-2015 19:51 | By Accountable
And you will bring along the PD workers as security for the meeting.
@condor @yogibear
Posted on 06-07-2015 21:52 | By Steve Morris
What info would you like that hasn't been provided specifically? Perhaps you have not seen the detailed responses below; especially the one to @kellbell. I don't mind your opinions or constant negative disposition toward the city you live in (that's your problem by the way) but if make assertions devoid of evidence then expect to be challenged. I know that is new for this forum, and the regular "bully boys" and yourself may not like being challenged but it is time the level of debate rose in this city. Still waiting on your call, let's have a public debate. you, yogi and I at a venue of your choice and let the public out there decide. I'll even get you up to speed before hand on any info you require.
Where's the retail healthy in the CBD and charge parking?
Posted on 06-07-2015 22:05 | By YOGI BEAR
Where there is plenty fo parking available, that is where. Here in Tauranga we have TCC staff squandering hundreds and hundreds of car parks every day, claiming for own use, then eliminating yet more. meanwhile paying consultants mega money to say all is fine and dandy. Simple facts here:- no/little/to few car parks means less people in the city, means less shopppers, means less trade, means less shops, means less jobs.
Annalist, this is Tauranga
Posted on 06-07-2015 22:57 | By Murray.Guy
What the community in Wellington think is irrelevant to our situation in Tauranga. The single biggest deterrent in the CBD is the fact that it is singled out for curb side parking fees. Cr. Steve rightly pointed out to me that the CBD has parking buildings with debts which need to be paid. What he will be forgetting is that a lot of the revenue was syphoned off in the past couple with parking either given away (to the University) or removed for wider community benefit (Strand events). Toss the Mainstreet levies into a CBD economic benefit/enhancement account. PS: I'm not so sure Auckland CBD/Newmarket is coping that well, albeit also irrelevant.
@Yogi bear
Posted on 07-07-2015 07:32 | By Calling the truth
I have been reading various comments over the last few days and cant help but notice Yogi always has many things to write about. I would suggest he/she is a character who lives for such debate wether it is founded on truth or not. I would suggest ignoring said comments until the boredom hits and he/she is forced to move on to another website. Its very boring... I only joined this site to start this campaign. lol
incentive
Posted on 07-07-2015 07:55 | By rosscoo
Council should come up with incentive to use bus into city it already there and been paid for by user pay and rate payer. If you look at front of carpark building on corner of Durham St and Wharf st the floors have a bow in them so i wouldnt want to park in it and i would question structure and think we should not be paying for such poor quality.
INTERESTING BUT KNEEJERKING
Posted on 07-07-2015 15:41 | By ROCCO
Having read the comments the conclusion reached is that any formal debate on topics now before 30 or so people is a waste of time. Let's all wait until the 2016 elections when everything will be out in the open no doubt. SUNLIVE is virtually the only forum where those people who cannot get their views published in the printed media participate because most of the other media space is taken up by Councillors and others pushing their own barrows.Councillors who have every opportunity to float their pet preferences and prejudices elsewhere should stay out of this forum. Main reason they look to dive into the fray seems to be because they cannot counter the usually justified criticism being leveled at their own or Council performances.As I recall someone asked Cr.Morris to point to a couple of significant things that TCC got right in recent years- result silence.
@Devon
Posted on 07-07-2015 15:51 | By sambo's back
why on earth would you need security??, Steve can always get Ex Councillor Clayton to watch his back ,me I dont need anyone, all I would like to see is a friendly vibrant waterfront and CBD, but chances of that happening diminish everyday while more $ are tipped into ideas too leave council members a legacy, fat bloody lot of good that is doing, we have unregistered dogs and a 1/2 baked playground, and in a few years many students living for happy hour, as I have said before the heart and soul of our city is slowly being ripped out!!!, so Devon while agreeing with you, its sad to see the decline that is occurring, the opportunity to make our waterfront into an Historic precinct has also passed, a shame as many a city around the world would love to have template to work with we have.
Open it up!!!
Posted on 08-07-2015 13:33 | By jed
Why not open up development to the whole tauranga area. Central planning authorities are an anachronism. Let the people who are willing to put up the money decide where they want central shopping areas to be.
jed
Posted on 08-07-2015 16:52 | By YOGI BEAR
They have made that decision already and TCC have let them do it. The spots are: Bayfair, Gatepa, Fraser Cove, Bethlehem, Mount, Greerton. So TCC have shot themselves in the foot by allowing developments that undermine the financial returns from the CBD from rates, rents and parking revenues.
Hotel and Conference Centre
Posted on 08-07-2015 16:59 | By ROCCO
From inquiries made it seems the 13 storey edifice is planned for the old iconic Tauranga Electric Power Board site in Spring Street.No unconditional agreement for the purchase is in place yet and there is no certainty a deal will ever eventuate.What type of consent is in place or granted is unclear and if it is an RMA Consent the question is was it publicly notified or non notified- does anyone know the terms.One thing is certain and that is there will be a totally inadequate and huge shortfall in on site parking provided.Let's hear more from those in the know about this scheme.
yogi
Posted on 08-07-2015 23:59 | By jed
But TCC should not waste ratepayer money on trying to make people use the CBD. Let people go where they want, and the council should not try to control movement. And, council try to deter new development in these other areas. We have an awful council in my view.
Jed
Posted on 09-07-2015 12:28 | By YOGI BEAR
I agree the track record of TCC is shocking, in fact TCC have done so much harm in the CBD directly and indirectly yet profess to be the savior of the place. the cavern gap in their thinking (a very dangerous thing) and results makes the Grand Canyon look like a pin in size. The simple fact that TCC reside in the CBD and try to think about fixing it means it will be a disaster. This is the same as Route K, they did it anyway and lost tens of millions ... history is merely repeating and TCC is in complete denial.
Pre-programmed
Posted on 09-07-2015 16:29 | By YOGI BEAR
Looks like Steve has gone quiet, the programming no doubt has reached a gridlock situation. What has been learned within and seems perfect there then escapes outside and looks a bit sick to say the least. The first point of call up and no response?
Problems!
Posted on 10-07-2015 11:06 | By DAD
Parking is a big issue but another thorn in the side of the CBD is Landlords want to much in rents because rates are so high!
DAD
Posted on 10-07-2015 12:31 | By YOGI BEAR
The CBD landlords add all rates to the rent and send a bill to tenants for that to pay also, no landlord gives a ratz about the big rates bills as a result. Yes the rates are "HUGE", yes there is not enough car parks, but that problem will eventually even out as tenants continue to leave the CBD then empty buildings will provide additional parking space and solve the problem. However then the CBD will have halved.
Steve?
Posted on 10-07-2015 17:05 | By YOGI BEAR
Where for out thou?
parking fee's
Posted on 10-07-2015 21:24 | By Taurangaboy
I'd like to challenge the council to stump up with the cost of going free parking, per year. Bugger these plans and consultants we have, just give us a figure please or free kerbside parking in the CBD.
YES MINISTER DISEASE
Posted on 12-07-2015 09:56 | By kellbell
BEARBOY>You are not going to get any meaningful answers from TCCCouncil and I see Cr.Morris hasn't come back with any instances where TCC has hit the bullseye in recent years. From that it is fair to assume there ain't too many success stories floating around quite the reverse actually .Local politicians when first elected are bushy tailed and bright eyed and think they can make a meaningful difference with a gung ho approach. They soon realise that the TCC bureaucrats won't allow that to happen and invariably they fall into line and begin to accept as gospel everything the pointy heads tell them. Excuses flow thick and fast and soon everyone is on the same page again -amen.Cr.Morris's main brief as a Mount /PapamoaWardCouncillor would have been practical tsunami sirens Papamoa roading and escape routes and Lim reports on properties not CBD parking.So what's the litmus test verdict then.??
kellbell
Posted on 12-07-2015 14:35 | By YOGI BEAR
So say-ith the lord! Now I bet young innocent sweet Cr Steve will now run-ith for the hills.
Cr Steve
Posted on 12-07-2015 14:40 | By YOGI BEAR
I guess the CBD was not part of primary issues at the last election. Let see they important things for you were: Tsumani's alerts (not happened), LIM reports (not happened), get some activities other than at the Mount because small peninsular/crowded already/traffic issues (not happened), Papamoa roads need escape routes. It looks like the CBD is well out of your league and remains so without the coaching and spin-doctoring from the TCC communications department. Looks like you need more help than they can keep up with. PS Murray is still here, lasted a lot longer than you.
Hey there
Posted on 13-07-2015 15:41 | By sambo's back
had a kick in the rear have we, you were doomed as soon as you started stating facts in this medium, you where also just recently asked about the good our previous Creative Tauranga director did for the city, nope chickened out there too!!!.
Yogi Bear continues
Posted on 13-07-2015 16:05 | By robin bell
to drown in the condensate of his own "steam". Whinge,whinge whinge is all he's capable of, trapped by his own negativity. His only contribution, destroy the credibility of all and everyone concerned. Get over yourself yogi bear, your day is done. Robin Bell.
The Robin Steve show
Posted on 13-07-2015 17:16 | By YOGI BEAR
Looks like you both suffer the same problem, commentary without fact or basis, when asked can not produce fact or evidence and run away freakishly from any public accountability.
Public Accountability???
Posted on 14-07-2015 09:24 | By robin bell
YOGI BEAR clearly does not understand the futility of his operating from the position he does. Public recognition and accountability starts with a name,YOGI BBBBEAR JUST DON'T CRACK IT. Robin Bell.
Change the CBD
Posted on 19-07-2015 13:40 | By GregAKL
into apartments, waterfront views and all. It amazes me when NZ travelers lug suitcases of clothes on overseas trips. When ours are the most overpriced anywhere in the world, NZ sits at the end of a long supply chain. The TPPA wont help because we will be a dumping ground for rubbish that the other markets dont want.
GregAKL
Posted on 19-07-2015 14:58 | By YOGI BEAR
Agree on that, but the TPPA will merely make it legal to do what is already well under way with dumping cheap product into NZ and so destroying local industry and jobs. NZ actually cant be competitive with overseas industry because of the high pay rates here, low productivity and costly small scale.
Waterfront apartments?
Posted on 21-07-2015 11:08 | By YOGI BEAR
Yes the view over the harbour will be great, however the water front is effectively a concrete beach, very tidal and there is a railway line there, not all is as it seems.
Oblvious?
Posted on 22-07-2015 23:12 | By YOGI BEAR
To how it is, the CBD is potentially a good place, however some aspects just leave one breathless, the best being the desire of TCC to improve it, especially the belief that they think that they can.
Give me a reason
Posted on 28-07-2015 22:04 | By kinacat
I go into town (CBD) to go to the movies. I used to go into town [CBD] to pay for rates etc I don't need to now. I used to enjoy shopping at the farmers department store in town except they got rid of their little restaurant hmmmm. Actually I avoid going into town if I can. There's actually no need to anymore is there.
Growth
Posted on 29-07-2015 15:32 | By DAD
When this not so Smart Growth organisation opens up new subdivisions miles out of the CBD when there is land so much closer that could be developed and keep the community together. Lets face it the CBD will never revive!
DAD and kinacat
Posted on 29-07-2015 17:46 | By YOGI BEAR
You have it sorted out there. They are not so Smart on Growth are they. It shows, the results are obvious and when TCC properly vacates the CBD then the end will be close. Don't forget to turn out the last light on your way out.
Don't suppose many..
Posted on 30-07-2015 16:01 | By kiwigrunt
..here would remember how vibrant it was during the 70s/80s..to call it the 'CBD' now is a bit of a joke, i've seen more life in ghost towns in middle states of the US.
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