Hutt CBD is coming alive.

A revitalised Central Business District is already beginning to hum. There are a number of significant developments that mix retail and new apartments and will encourage inner city living.

Hutt City is planning an economic forum in November which will increase the focus on the central business district.

We have been promoting businesses who are encouraged by the city’s Business Stimulus Package. Projects already under way or in the planning stage include:

• An inner city development that will include a multi-storey apartment building combining residential apartments with ground floor retail space.
• A fast-food drive-through development.
• A new tenant, Warehouse Stationery, for the space left vacant by Bond and Bond.
• Re-strengthening of prominent central city building which includes plans for adding further levels to the building and car parking.
• Transformation of an inner city building into eight apartments in High Street.
• A new development in Cambridge Terrace which has been granted resource consent and will include new tenants, Subway and a supermarket. This is currently under way.
• A proposal for a new office and retail premises adjoining the central business district in Knights Road.

Action is in play for generating new life into the central city and I believe these developments which provide the stimulus for a major resurgence in business activity.

We are also anticipating a lot of interest for the NZ Post building in Margaret Street which is considered a strategic property within the CBD and will soon go on sale.