Wachner Place will retain its clock structure and be restored, and buses will also be able to enter lower Esk Street to access the new Distinction hotel.

It seems like a win-win for everyone, except those staunchly opposed to changing anything about Wachner Place, and honouring its history.
Related: Old Invercargill Flashback – Wachner Place Over The Years

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Looking West towards railways down Esk from Dee street. Photo: Old Invercargill

Councillors voted 10-3 to the amended recommendation with Peter Kett, Lesley Soper and Ria Bond strongly against changing Wachner Place.

Mayor Nobby Clark told the council meeting yesterday that the decision on Wachner Place was not just about servicing Geoff Thomson’s new Distinction hotel under construction.

The Menzies building photographed mid 1960’s. A stunning post modern addition to Invercargills CBD skyline in its day and finished to a sophisticated standard. Like most contemporary infrastructure, this building has reached a point where it is no longer in vogue.

He said a starting point could be upgrading the clock, as it was “pretty ugly” and it could be given a proper restoration.

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Late nigh shopping on Friday night. Note Esk is two way traffic.1984. Photo/scan: oldinvercargill.nz

“We need to tidy up the clock, paint it and add some lighting at night time.”

Recent public consultation showed 86% of the 173 submitters opposed to opening up the space for traffic, but Mayor Clark made a compromise which allowed a new option that favoured both buses and keeping the clock structure.

An Aerial view showing the main part of Invercargills former layout from when the city greeted the train station. Buildings within the centerpiece of this cbd layout have been pulled down and reorganized over time, Making way for inspiring infrastructure we all know and love such as the Menzies building or Wachner Place.

1970. Esk and Dee Street intersection, looking towards the railway station. Now part of Wachner Place. The Menzies building on left. Photo: Fletcher Archives.

It was pointed out multiple times during the meeting that the 86% only represented 0.3% of the population, and the voices of the community.

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Old phone boxes at Wachner Place 1980’s. Photo: Old Invercargill

Cr’s Alex Crackett and Trish Boyle both acknowledged the Mayor’s leadership by listening to the submitters, with Crackett saying it was “a fantastic compromise.”

Cr Ian Pottinger was clearly for option one allowing bus access, saying “do we drop our visitors at the door or dump them on the curb at Levin Street?” He said they needed to look at the whole visitor experience.

Wachner Place photographed during the 1980’s before this area was slightly upgraded with a contemporary concrete theme. Photo: Old Invercargill

Cr Darren Ludlow reflected on the significant changes in the city over the past 34 years. Wachner Place was created in the late 1980s. He said it was a significantly different public space now, and didn’t see the proposals as a loss of the current space, but more of an amendment.

Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell summed it up well with his words,”I think we can make Wachner Place a better tribute to Abraham Wachner than it is today.”

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Wachner Place 12noon Wednesday 8th November. Photo: Mike Sanford / whatsoninvers.nz

Eye sore view behind Wachner Place from lower Esk Street, Wednesday 8th November. Photo: Mike Sanford / whatsoninvers.nz

whatsoninvers.nz founder Mike Sanford believes Wachner Place has never worked as a public space.

“It’s shaded, run-down, and barren, seemingly a melting pot for the undesirable and criminals. I think the council’s decision on Tuesday is a great start, by removing the mess that splits Lower Esk from the rest of the city. Everyone seems to have missed the horrible mess that guests of the new hotel would see when looking east from Lower Esk.”

” With plans to create a pedestrian-friendly outdoor area to service Hell’s Pizza and Amigos, it makes sense. Now that we have revitalized Don Street, especially with the Esk Street Invercargill Central shopping centre, we have our new town centre/square. Don Street hosted its first successful night street market with an estimated 3,000 attendees, and there’s another Don Street night market this Friday.”

Wachner Place To Get Long Overdue Revamp (updated)

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