COUNCIL will sell a CBD car park diagonally opposite Raby Bay despite a storm of complaints about a lack of parking in the area.
To make up for about a dozen long-term parks being lost at the 2-16 Wynyard Street block, council will add 20 to Redlands Performing Arts Centre parking about .5km northwest.
This will increase the number of public car parks within a 400 metre radius of the Cleveland CBD to more than 1200 bays.
LJ Hooker has bought the site and will build a two-storey office block on part of the land, with the balance to remain as a public car park.
Mayor Karen Williams said the development would employ 50 staff when complete and inject millions into the local economy.
“It will provide a local company the opportunity to generate local employment in our community, while growing their business,’’ she said. “This investment by LJ Hooker is a reflection of the confidence the company has in the potential of not just Cleveland, but the Redland economy.’’
Cr Williams said sale revenue made by council’s subsidiary company Redland Investment Corporation would be reinvested in local projects, or a fund to provide inter-generational wealth.
A study commissioned by council indicated that parking in the Cleveland CBD operated at a peak utilisation of about 74 per cent.
Redland Investment Corporation chief executive officer Peter Kelley said the money would be reinvested in projects or a fund. “While economic activity and city activation is important, so too is balancing this with the region’s unique lifestyle,” he said.
“Council was very clear in its direction late last year that it wanted RIC to be more focused on the community’s social and environmental needs.’’
Council chief executive and RIC board director Bill Lyon said the sale would enable the local business to expand and provide construction jobs and employment.
“The Cleveland Centre Master Plan adopted by council in 2010 found developing the land on the corner of Wynyard and Shore Street West would be a catalyst for investment and activation of a key part of the Cleveland CBD,” he said.
LJ Hooker’s proposal is to build a two-storey office on about 1500 square metres on the corner of Shore Street West and Wynyard Street.
All-day public car parking will be available at the adjoining lot on the corner of Wynyard and Middle Streets.
A Cleveland businessman who declined to have his name used said if parks were to be lost on Wynard Street, funds from the sale should be used to add parks nearby. Adding parks so far away at RPAC would be of little help to businesses at the other end of the CBD.
