Blenheim CBD future - Blenheim Ward Candidates

What Council changes do you advocate for that will reenergize Blenheim’s CBD?

John Hyndman

Encourage inner ‘city’ residential housing. There is a collar of R1 land around the CBD which would be ideal of medium density housing redevelopment.( 2-3 storey,semidetached, terraced and apartment residences).  This is happening throughout NZ and is revitalising CBDs. The CBD would become a park like pedestrian precinct with hospitality and boutique shops. It would require vision and planning + community consultation. A 20-30 year project. The council role would be to ease the building restrictions and facilitate the process.

Tamsin Cooper

I want to see a more people-focused CBD, with spaces that encourage families, young people, and visitors to spend time there. That means supporting mixed-use development, encouraging temporary use of vacant retail space for engaging projects and street activation through arts, markets, and events, and working closely with business owners to attract investment. Collaboration is key, Council needs to act as a broker and connector, not just a regulator.

Dominique Greenslade

The regular closing down of Market Street on a weekly basis to allow people to shop at leisure among the 'sellers' Stalls, and reducing the cost of parking nearby to allow more people to shop.

Brian Dawson

Beyond the proposed refresh of Market Street and making the most of the blank canvas next to the library we need a coordinated effort to bring life to both Blenheim & Picton CBD’s. Events. Celebrations. Competitions. Music. Scavenger Hunts. Long Lunches. Late Nights. This can all be done with some coordinated effort.

Ben Stace

I have long term ideas to investigate around linking our key assets, including the riverfront, with the town. But short term I will be pushing for 2 hours free parking without the need for using the machines or app. This timeframe allows for relaxed visits for shopping and dining.

Vish Prasad

I’d push for free parking from 10am to 2pm — the peak business hours. All-day free parking just leads to cars being left there, and the council still needs revenue for maintenance. I also back subsidised parking for CBD workers, an issue raised by staff at Michael Hill. I’d like to see Market Street closed on Fridays from 5pm for a night market, and open spaces like the corner of Scotch Bar, in front of BNZ, and the Forum turned into entertainment spots with seating and lounges. Overflow suggested another great idea: closing Market Street from Hallenstein to Flight Centre to create a flat, vibrant pedestrian space. Staff from Fabric Creations also raised the hazard of uneven cobblestones that have caused people to trip — I’d like to address these. I love organising events and gatherings, and I’ve successfully done so. I’ve helped manage large festivals to events in my home country from a young age, and I was a DJ for 10 years. I also love gaming and socialising — so you can imagine the mischief I’ll be up to, helping businesses thrive while entertaining the community. I’m bringing life back!

Buks Lundt

At least two-hour free parking for a start. Close Market street and make it a pedestrian walkway. Cut red tape for new businesses and encourage more hospitality businesses. Regular music performers in the rotunda and outside seating.

Thelma Sowman

More promotion of Blenheim as a destination, make it easy for passing travellers to enter the CBD. Two hours free parking would encourage and allow more time for visitors to not only stop for a coffee, but also visit retail shops in the CBD.

Aimee Payne

Re-energising Blenheim’s CBD starts with a strong Blenheim Business Association. The BBA has recently been scaled down, but they’ve already done the hard mahi, they have made the connections, and the groundwork for events and urban development is in place, and when events are organised, the people come.We just need the funding and people power to deliver current and future events, working together with MDC, landlords (particularly of empty spaces), businesses, and the community. No one person can do this; it has to be collaborative. A thriving CBD isn’t just about shopping, it’s about creating a vibe people want to be part of, a real sense of community, and experiences that attract visitors as well as locals. That includes cultural events, live music, youth-friendly activities, night markets, pop ups and free weekend parking. Finishing what we started with the Marlborough Mile, following the CBD refresh, will be vital in making the heart of our town welcoming and engaging for everyone.

Deborah Dalliessi

While the shops are commercially owned and leased council can't intervene directly to upgrade, I do believe we have levers to help bring life back to the town centre. What we really need is people living and reasons for them to meet up in town. Medium density housing, including city apartments with roof top restaurants could make the town more vibrant. Simple touches like changing digital lighting effects around the forum and library walk to the river, could create the atmosphere for people to dance sing and greet each other. I’d also like to see a review of licencing laws to encourage a bar and restaurant precinct take shape.

David Croad

Firstly it is important to understand that Council is just one part of the CBD, Councils responsibility is to the look and feel of the streetscape, its planning around use of the CBD for commercial and living purposes, and has a role to play in the vibrancy of town through enabling events, music etc.  Already in train as examples – Council has made changes to enable living in the CBD through the Marlborough Environment but development is the responsibility of the private sector. As a member of the CBD committee we have been working on a CBD refresh for Market Street that will bring the same look and feel as the new area outside the Library and Quays, this is almost reading to go and will be socialised with the retail businesses, building owners and stakeholders in the very near future.

Nyara Nyajena

Extension of hours to promote night life. Extend free parking hours to 2hrs. Rethinking parking and access to support foot traffic. Supporting local businesses with startup incentives. Hosting more community events and markets to activate the space. Working with landlords to fill vacant shops

Cyril Dawson

How far do you go. Apparently there are plans in the pipeline for the CBD so we wait with bated breath.