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Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
DCC may thwart plan to demolish 'unique and special' lecture theatres
Plans to demolish award winning University of Otago lecture theatres have hit a snag as the city council moves to protect the building. The Dunedin City Council has included the Archway Lecture Theatre building on a draft list of 146 buildings to be protected under changes to the district plan. The council's heritage assessment says the building is unique, special and "without comparison" in Dunedin. However, the University of Otago says the building represents the "poorest quality" lecture theatres on campus and demolition had been on the cards for at least 15 years. The proposed heritage changes will be considered at a hearing beginning on May 19. In his written evidence, vice-chancellor Grant Robertson asked for the building not to be included on the list, saying the university was considering demolishing the theatres and the neighbouring Gregory Building — possibly replacing them with a formal garden space. The university wanted to "maximise the value" of neo-gothic buildings on campus by developing the Union St entranceway, he said. In March, Mr Robertson confirmed he was planning to move a significant proportion of the staff in the Clocktower building — including himself — into the consumer and applied science building. "A formal garden space connecting the [consumer and applied sciences] building with Union St and the gothic heritage buildings of the Clocktower precinct, for example, offers a substantial enhancement to the university's heritage campus," he said. "The Archway Lecture Theatres are a barrier to this entranceway." The 2010 Campus Master Plan suggested removing the building in favour of a new teaching centre. However, following the Covid pandemic and "the changing nature of teaching and learning", the centre was not required. Rather, the university had an "abundance of building space". The Archway Lecture Theatre building was built in 1974, designed by notable Dunedin architect Ted McCoy, and won a New Zealand Institute of Architects Southern Architecture Award for Enduring Architecture in 2020. The council's heritage assessment report proposed the entire external envelope and internal corridor be protected. "When considered alongside other buildings on the district plan heritage schedule, the Archway Lecture Theatre is without comparison," the report said. "This building is both unique and special to Dunedin. It also contributes to a nationwide body of Brutalist architecture." University property and campus development director Tanya Syddall said while opposition did not come lightly, the building represented "the poorest quality" of tiered lecture theatres on campus. "They are cold and austere, the seating uncomfortable and acoustics poor." The building would likely be unused in about three years as demand for teaching spaces changed, making maintenance costs "impossible to justify" and demolition inevitable, she said. Mrs Syddall said in 2010, Mr McCoy was asked about the proposal to demolish the theatres and told Master Plan lead consultant Chris Alcock "words to the effect of 'I'm fine if you want to get rid of them"'. She said there was no timeline for any proposed demolition and the formal garden was as yet unapproved and subject to change. The university had supported the inclusion of three of its other buildings — the former Dunedin Hospital Nurses' Home, former Queen Mary Maternity Hospital and the Hercus Building — on the heritage schedule, with some requested amendments.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
DCC may thwart plan to demolish lecture theatres
Plans to demolish award winning University of Otago lecture theatres have hit a snag as the city council moves to protect the building. The Dunedin City Council has included the Archway Lecture Theatre building on a draft list of 146 buildings to be protected under changes to the district plan. The council's heritage assessment says the building is unique, special and "without comparison" in Dunedin. However, the University of Otago says the building represents the "poorest quality" lecture theatres on campus and demolition had been on the cards for at least 15 years. The proposed heritage changes will be considered at a hearing beginning on May 19. In his written evidence, vice-chancellor Grant Robertson asked for the building not to be included on the list, saying the university was considering demolishing the theatres and the neighbouring Gregory Building — possibly replacing them with a formal garden space. The university wanted to "maximise the value" of neo-gothic buildings on campus by developing the Union St entranceway, he said. In March, Mr Robertson confirmed he was planning to move a significant proportion of the staff in the Clocktower building — including himself — into the consumer and applied science building. "A formal garden space connecting the [consumer and applied sciences] building with Union St and the gothic heritage buildings of the Clocktower precinct, for example, offers a substantial enhancement to the university's heritage campus," he said. "The Archway Lecture Theatres are a barrier to this entranceway." The 2010 Campus Master Plan suggested removing the building in favour of a new teaching centre. However, following the Covid pandemic and "the changing nature of teaching and learning", the centre was not required. Rather, the university had an "abundance of building space". The Archway Lecture Theatre building was built in 1974, designed by notable Dunedin architect Ted McCoy, and won a New Zealand Institute of Architects Southern Architecture Award for Enduring Architecture in 2020. The council's heritage assessment report proposed the entire external envelope and internal corridor be protected. "When considered alongside other buildings on the district plan heritage schedule, the Archway Lecture Theatre is without comparison," the report said. "This building is both unique and special to Dunedin. It also contributes to a nationwide body of Brutalist architecture." University property and campus development director Tanya Syddall said while opposition did not come lightly, the building represented "the poorest quality" of tiered lecture theatres on campus. "They are cold and austere, the seating uncomfortable and acoustics poor." The building would likely be unused in about three years as demand for teaching spaces changed, making maintenance costs "impossible to justify" and demolition inevitable, she said. Mrs Syddall said in 2010, Mr McCoy was asked about the proposal to demolish the theatres and told Master Plan lead consultant Chris Alcock "words to the effect of 'I'm fine if you want to get rid of them"'. She said there was no timeline for any proposed demolition and the formal garden was as yet unapproved and subject to change. The university had supported the inclusion of three of its other buildings — the former Dunedin Hospital Nurses' Home, former Queen Mary Maternity Hospital and the Hercus Building — on the heritage schedule, with some requested amendments.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rock Island's College Hill District plans for future development
Augustana College and the City of Rock Island are teaming up with businesses and citizens to advance mixed-use retail, residential and neighborhood improvements in the College Hill District. They hope to create a more vibrant, walkable and economically dynamic neighborhood that serves Rock Island residents and Augustana students. The Hilltop Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a newly formed initiative to promote growth near the edges of Augustana's campus. A CDC is a nonprofit, community-focused organization that fosters revitalization by investing in housing, small businesses and neighborhood infrastructure. The CDC is part of Augustana's Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan and aligns with the college's commitment to connecting through partnerships, enhancing neighborhood vitality and activating campus edges, as recommended in the Campus Master Plan. The Hilltop CDC has purchased its first property, the former Curry-Out QC restaurant at 1407 30th Street that will be developed for mixed business and residential use. The property is a five-minute walk from the southern edge of Augustana's campus. The building has undergone an environmental review and is scheduled for removal this quarter. The College Hill District was founded in 2011 and is a walkable neighborhood that includes restaurants and businesses such as Fred & Ethel's 50's Antiques, Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream and Kavanaugh's Hilltop Bar & Grill. The district has hosted events including College Hill-o-Ween, Small Business Saturday shopping days, Christmas walks and retro car rallies. 'Augustana is thrilled to join with city and community partners to bolster economic, architectural and community-building initiatives in the College Hill area and to work together to seek solutions to meet the needs of the district,' said Augustana president Andrea Talentino. 'We want to be a strong partner in making Rock Island a valued place to live and work. Augustana is proud to call Rock Island home, and we're proud to unite to create a more vibrant and thriving hub for the benefit of our students and the community.' 'As a community member, it's encouraging to see Augustana stepping up as a thoughtful and engaged neighbor,' said Jeff Rose, a resident of the College Hill District. 'This initiative isn't just about buildings — it's about creating a place where people feel connected, supported and proud to live. The CDC is helping us imagine what's possible for the Hilltop.' 'Augustana has been a wonderful partner for many years, and we're very pleased to join them in this new initiative to bring increased resources, housing and storefronts to the College Hill District,' said Rock Island mayor Mike Thoms. 'We're excited to contribute to future-focused planning for Rock Islanders and the college.' 'The CDC will develop and prioritize projects with an emphasis on serving the College Hill District, including mixed-use redevelopment and attracting small businesses with a focus on food and beverage or retail,' said Kirk Anderson, chief financial officer at Augustana. 'The CDC's projected 2026 operating budget exceeds $90,000 through grants and philanthropic gifts, demonstrating strong early investment in the district's revitalization. We know the investments of the CDC will have a great impact on enhancing Rock Island and our region. These efforts will support job creation, strengthen local businesses and enhance quality of life for residents and students alike.' Anderson said the CDC will work on several goals to redevelop and expand quality housing opportunities, such as Augustana employee rental housing and campus-adjacent housing for Augustana seniors and Rock Island residents. The group also plans neighborhood identity and signage improvements. The college has worked with Rock Island on many projects, including creating a $1.5 million tennis court complex at Lincoln Park at 38th Street and 11th Avenue. The project includes leasing that section of the park to the college for 10 years. Over the next three years, the CDC hopes to create vibrant commercial spaces, improve housing access for residents and students and support Rock Island's growth. 'This is more than a symbolic gesture, it's a real investment in Rock Island's future,' Thoms said. 'With new infrastructure, commercial space and housing in the pipeline, the Hilltop CDC is setting a bold tone for the next chapter of neighborhood growth.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
