Underground investigations sound out Riverside site for revitalisation project with Wakatū Inc.

The pop-up park by the Elma Turner Library will be closed from Monday 16 May to Monday 23 May. This work is the starting point for a collaborative project between Nelson City Council and Wakatū Incorporation Group that will turn a culturally important area of Nelson into a people-focussed place for the whole community to enjoy.

Wakatū Incorporation Group General Manager of Property and Commercial Iain Sheves advised that: 

“Wakatū Incorporation is carrying out geotechnical work next week to establish the suitability of sites on the corner of Trafalgar and Halifax Streets, as part of our work with the Nelson City Council to revitalise the Ngā Hekenga Precinct.”

Two bore holes will be created in the pop-up park by the Elma Turner Library, and a third created in the Burger King car park, so contractors can identify the different soil types underneath the site, and the depth of the bedrock.

Group Manager Community Services Andrew White welcomed the collaboration with Wakatū Inc.

“We’re really excited at the prospect of developing this working relationship with Wakatū Inc. Bringing new life to the Ngā Hekenga Precinct is one of Council’s key goals, and this partnership will help us achieve that aim.

“The end goal here is to extend the reach of our City Centre, create a space for people to enjoy as a community, and improve walking and cycling options.”

To carry out the work safely the contractor will need to fence off the pop-up playground and a small section of the Burger King car park. The contractor is working through the weekend to minimise disruption.