Matt Cowley Tauranga City Councillor

Tauranga's CBD has faced a barrage of issues during the last few years, including earthquake strengthening of buildings, growth of suburban malls, the global financial crisis, and growth of online shopping.

It shows that even after facing a wildfire of issues, the strong have survived and opportunities have appeared for new growth to develop.

Representatives from the CBD challenged Council at our briefing this week to show leadership in resurrecting the once strong city centre.

Fresh growth has sprouted in the CBD with the new commercial buildings and the three co-working spaces. These spaces host self-employed professionals who want to work with similar minded people in a professional setting (as opposed to their garage or dining room).

I'm emphasising that even city centres go through natural cycles to refresh themselves. This leads to fascinating opportunities to discover your next favourite cafe, boutique shop, or a hot new underground place to impress your date.

Council needs to facilitate the key players in the CBD to work together. About 6000 people work in our city centre; meaning it's the region's economic and cultural heart. It is the CBD's challenge to get these professionals out of their offices and onto the streets.

The nature of city centres is changing across the world. Some businesses will relish the evolving opportunities; other businesses may not be suited for the CBD over time.

If we want a resurrected CBD, we need to treat people as people, not just as consumers. People need places to meet, talk, sit, play, stroll, flirt, read, dine, people-watch, soak in sunshine and to express themselves.

Our CBD is looking to provide attractive things that cannot be done or bought online or at suburban shopping malls.

The CBD should also welcome the proposed university and hotel by creating safe and intimate walkways connecting people to the waterfront through the retail area.

Auckland has trailed shared spaces in their CBD (e.g. Fort Street) where cars give way to pedestrians. The retailers resisted at first, but they were happy after two years. Foot traffic grew quickly, overall satisfaction and safety increased, and consumer spending was up.

People will pay to go to a place if it's worth going too. Instead of asking how cheap we can make it to get people into the CBD (e.g. parking), let's make the CBD a great destination that people don't hesitate to visit.

Feel free to email me your thoughts (matt.cowley@tauranga.govt.nz), call/text on 027 6989 548, and follow me at www.facebook.com/a.younger.voice.