Five $100 Mainstreet shopping vouchers are on offer for people who submit ideas on the future look of an urban space, to replace the Phoenix Carpark in downtown Mount Maunganui.

Everyone who submits ideas throughout the process will go into the draw to win one of the vouchers, says Tauranga City Council team leader strategic and corporate planning Cheryl Steiner.

Tauranga City Council wants the public to submit ideas for an urban space, to replace the Phoenix Carpark.

'We are keen to hear from you about what you would like this space to look like and how it can be used in the future, in particular the types of activities that this area could accommodate,” says Cheryl.

'We want to hear your ideas and comments, and see photos of spaces you like in other cities. Council will look at all the ideas we get and create a plan for public consultation.”

Cities worldwide are creating urban spaces on the highest value land in the centre of commercial areas, says Cheryl.

'Research on the contribution these spaces make has consistently shown that more people use the space, and they tend to spend more time and dollars in the area while they're there.

'The success of these areas depends on location and quality. Phoenix carpark has a fantastic central location – and we're now looking at the potential to create a quality urban space that is attractive, safe and interesting.”

An original plan by the council to turn the carpark into a shopping hub was challenged last August by Mount Maunganui residents, led by developer Bain McDonald and architect Graham Price, who suggest an urban space should take voer the site instead.

'This proposal is not a playground, it is a place to relax, a place for activities; markets, concerts, outdoor movies and so on – a space for workers as well as vacationers and because of this it can add to the experience of being in the mount,” says Bain.

The project was adopted for public consultation after Bain told the council it was sitting on $3.8 million in development contributions for reserve land in the Mount infill area.

This enables the reserves arm of TCC to buy the carpark off the transport section, opening the way for the urban space to be redeveloped in the 2014/2015 financial year.

Council staff and elected members will be available to discuss the proposal at the Phoenix carpark on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, February 12, 2014, from 3pm-7pm.
• Sunday, February 16, 2014, from 9am-1pm.
• Sunday, March 2, 2014, from 1pm-5pm.