Tenants sought for historic classroom

Expressions of interest are being sought from prospective tenants who wish to occupy the 116-year-old Otumoetai Primary School classroom at Historic Village.

The historic classroom relocated from school grounds on Otumoetai Road to 17th Avenue on July 21 and the 110m2 building is now available for long term lease.


The historic classroom on its way to Historic Village in July.

Historic Village team leader Michael Thomson says there've been 'two or three” relatively informal discussions with interested residents so far.

'We've had a bit of interest but we're actually formalising an offer for people to come in with proposals that's going out this weekend. Out of that we will then try and develop a preferred proposal with the party to come to a solution.”

Michael says they haven't decided on an ideal tenant for the character building, and he's remaining tight-lipped on the relaxed conversations they've had with potential leaseholders.

'We need to leave them free to actually form up a proposal that we can consider.

'What we're really looking for is for people to look at it and tell us how they would want to use and what they would be looking for, so we can look at those choices. I think that we're not trying to be constrained by a point of view behind it.”

Whoever they may be, Michael says the ideal tenant will continue to add to the vibrancy and activity at the village.

'Firstly, it will add an additional dimension to the village and an additional set of character. Secondly, it will provide an opportunity for someone to come in and do something that's complimentary to the village and add value to the wider village as well as achieving their own business.” The decision to remove the classroom, built in the 1890s, from Otumoetai Primary School was made by the Ministry of Education in June to allow room for the building of two new classrooms.

At the time of the July removal, Tauranga City Council property manager Anthony Averill told SunLive it cost an estimated $30,000 to move the building, with a further $60,000-$70,000 to maintain the building once relocated to Historic Village.

The controversial move has upset many former primary school pupils, including Alys-Ingrid Wicksteed, who in July called the relocation 'a complete waste of money”.

Michael says any arguments from other parties about the classroom's relocation are out of the village's hands.

'I think now it's here, we're now looking to take what we've got and develop it into something that suits a prospective tenant and also suits the nature and character of the village.”

Those interested in discussing tenancy, contact Michael at michael.thomson@tauranga.govt.nz or 07 571 3700.

Proposals must be received by October 20.

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2 comments

One has to ask the question!!!

Posted on 19-09-2014 19:11 | By Sambo Returns

why on earth is all of Taurangas history being continuously dumped down at the "village" to rot, serious thought has to be given to placing these buildings along the Strand and Robbins Park, making a place for all visitors to explore our history, Mr Ferrow through no lack of effort or use of his own money in trying to create a Historic Village (many thanks for your efforts), successive Councils have made it into a "lemon", instead of using ratepayer dollars to explore the idea of placing a big fat ugly plastic canoe on the Strand, why not use it in bringing the waterfront to life by showing our cities heritage to cruise boat tourists and our own citizens, our Council planners are so one dimensional, and they have no vision or passion for our city.


suggestions??

Posted on 20-09-2014 07:46 | By Me again

Might I suggest that this building be used to display Te Ranga history and other history relics as looks big enough to house them and also include the WAKA we already have in Tauranga. For Conferences well I'm sure there are other already standing, unused Building, to cater for that, just needing a coat of paint. CHEAper by far than that monstrocity of a Vaka.


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