Work on building advancing
After lying dormant for decades, the Sims building at the corner of Beach St and Macandrew Rd has become a hive of activity again.
Formerly known as the Stevenson and Cook Foundry, it is a historic remnant of the once-thriving shipbuilding industry in the area.
Work to deconstruct the 1970s extension on the southern end of the building began on June 9 and is now complete.
Now that the section of building has been deconstructed, it will allow for better access and make the redevelopment easier.
It will also allow Dunedin City Council (DCC) contractors to assess the surrounding land — particularly the stability of the bank and trees behind the site.
Demolition and the installation of protective barrier fencing is expected to cost about $60,000.
The DCC owns the building and has a memorandum of understanding with the Port Chalmers Foundry Society (PCFS), which has been fundraising and developing concept plans to convert it into a community venue.
Initially, the site was earmarked to become a carpark until the PCFS stepped in, driven by an alternative vision that celebrates history and invests in a creative future for Dunedin.
The DCC is putting more than $700,000 towards the initial part of the restoration.
PCFS Trust co-chairman Bill Brown said he was delighted with the hive of activity on the site and believed things were moving in a positive direction.
''It'll be good to get a roof on it and see the old foundry restored.''
Ultimately, the plan was for the building to become a hub for community use in some form, he said.
The PCFS has been working with architects and project management consultants to develop concepts for the venue, and has been fundraising to help bring the plans to fruition.
The Sims building was constructed in 1880, and then about a decade later, it was bought by partners Isaac Stevenson and John Cook, who ran an engineering company in it.
The business played a large part in Port Chalmers' creation and development, originally making simple appliances.
It later became the most up-to-date plant engaged in ship building and repairing in New Zealand.
As well as undertaking some of the southern hemisphere's biggest ship repair jobs, the company manufactured gold dredges for the Otago goldfields and constructed and fitted out ships for World Wars 1 and 2.
In 1989, the DCC took ownership of the building from the Port Chalmers Borough Council.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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