$2m bike rack Author: JACQUAI JONES Date: 30/06/2008 Publication: Newcastle Herald
IT was supposed to be the $2 million saviour for weekend trade in the inner city but what Newcastle got is now used for motorbike parking.
About $500,000 of ratepayers' money and $1.5 million from private investors was injected into the defunct Hunter Street Mall markets, which went into voluntary administration in December 2005 after four months of operation.
Ratepayers lost about $330,000 and private investors about $1 million. The expensive fixtures associated with the markets remain, including curved metal structures that can be covered with sails.
One on Keightley Street is now designated for free motorbike parking.
Newcastle Lord Mayor John
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Dead end to dream for city mall revival
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Tate said he believed the frames could be used for other things but making parking available in the meantime was appropriate.
"I think it makes good, sensible use of the space at the moment," Cr Tate said.
"[Because of] the cost of fuel [there are] possibly more people riding motorbikes parking in town."
The introduction of weekend parking meters was one of several reasons blamed for the markets' demise.
Cr Tate said the market operators asked for the meters to go in to stop people parking in town all day and preventing market shoppers from finding a space.
He said he was sorry the markets failed but believed the council's investment was not wasted.
Ratepayers' money was spent on underground infrastructure including drains and making areas comply with disability access standards.
"What [the] council spent in terms of all that is still there, it's not lost," Cr Tate said.
The council owns the curved metal structures and canopies as part of a settlement reached after the markets folded.
Cr Tate said what happened in and around Hunter Street Mall had to be considered in the context of General Property Trust's proposed development of the central business district.
He said the frames could be shifted, possibly to provide shelter for events at the Foreshore.
"We're not going to pull them out and stick them in the depot," Cr Tate said.
"They're better left in position. There'll be a use for them as the Foreshore develops.
"There's a number of things you could do with them."
Hunter Street Mall shop owners, who did not want to be named, said they believed the structures could be put to better use.
One said they should be removed.
Another said it was good to see the structures used for something, even motorbike parking, but a retail use was preferable.