Stark Property Developer Matt Stark told
Stuff the changes are “setting the city up to fail and stopping us from progressing any upgrades on other streets throughout Hamilton”. “We’re trying to do things on a shoestring budget and deliver something that’s an embarrassment from a design perspective.” Stark Property has been developing buildings in the CBD since 2011, creating spaces and designs that add value to the city.
MARK TAYLOR/STUFF
Developer Matt Stark is concerned the changes to Ward St is taking four steps in the wrong direction. Creating cycleways and walkable cities is great, it’s the execution that’s the problem, he said.
MARK TAYLOR/Stuff
At a crossroads: Ward St was the scene of furious activity on Monday, with the Innovating Streets trial reducing traffic to an east-to-west flow only. The flow will reverse to west-to-east next week. A portion of Rostrevor St, between the Tristram St roundabout and the Norton Rd roundabout, has also been completely closed to traffic and the tarseal surface adorned with an eye-catching mural designed by Boon Hamilton Street Art Festival director Craig McClure and artist Paul Bradley. A temporary skate park has also been set up on Rostrevor St as part of the trial. Kim Hansen, at Ward St business Hamilton Tyre and Battery, already has his verdict: “It’s a f.ing disaster.