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Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Fire station demo not a done deal: Fenz
Leaving Lookout Point's brick fire station off a council list of protected heritage buildings does not mean demolition is imminent, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) says. The Dunedin City Council gave 129 heritage buildings greater protection from demolition or modification without consent under changes to the district plan. A further 17 properties — including the Lookout Point Fire Station — that were initially proposed for protection were removed following a public hearing in May, a decision released yesterday confirmed. Fenz South Island regional property manager Stephen Hill said he was pleased with the decision, which gave the organisation "options" for the site's future. In May, the hearing panel of independent commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen and Crs Sophie Barker and Jim O'Malley were told the building was earthquake-prone and "significantly below" Fenz building standards. Any work to repair it would be considerable and costly. Fenz had detailed plans for a proposed new building to replace the station, but after the decision was released Mr Hill said demolition was not a done deal. "[The decision] doesn't mean that we're going to demolish it, and it doesn't mean we're going to significantly change it," Mr Hill said. "What it does is [it] let's us have the option of doing what we need to do to keep the site operational." The Lookout Point site was in an "optimal location" to best serve Dunedin and outlying areas, he said. The fire station was not the only significant building the decision affected. The University of Otago Archway Lecture Theatres received protection despite opposition from the institution and council planner Peter Rawson. Vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said the university was "very disappointed" by the decision to protect the theatres "particularly given it contradicts the recommendation of the council's own planning expert". "We presented compelling evidence as to why the Archway Lecture Theatres should not be added to the schedule, including the fact the theatres are the poorest quality of the 19-tiered lecture theatres on campus and that there have been plans in place for several years to remove the theatres." The panel was told since 2010 the university had considered demolishing the theatres — possibly replacing them with a formal garden space, which would enhance nearby Gothic buildings. Mr Robertson said opposing the planned protection "did not come lightly", but the university had to ensure its facilities met the evolving needs of students, staff and community. "We will now take time to fully consider the decision and our next steps." University of Auckland architecture Associate Prof Julia Gatley said she commended the council for increasing the number of mid 20th-century modern buildings on its heritage schedule and was "particularly pleased" to see the Archway Lecture Theatres included. In her role as chairwoman of heritage advocacy group Docomomo New Zealand, she made submissions in support of nine properties being added to the plan, including the Archway theatres. "The sculptural form, textured concrete surfaces and super graphics combine to make it such a gem," she said. "I hope [the university] leadership team are willing to rethink their current plans for this one in light of this very appropriate recognition of its heritage value." The New Zealand Defence Force and Kāinga Ora, which both had buildings protected despite their opposition, separately said they planned to review the decision before deciding on next steps. Submitters can appeal to the Environment Court within 30 working days of the decision.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Demolition not a done deal: Fenz
Leaving Lookout Point's brick fire station off a council list of protected heritage buildings does not mean demolition is imminent, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) says. The Dunedin City Council gave 129 heritage buildings greater protection from demolition or modification without consent under changes to the district plan. A further 17 properties — including the Lookout Point Fire Station — that were initially proposed for protection were removed following a public hearing in May, a decision released yesterday confirmed. Fenz South Island regional property manager Stephen Hill said he was pleased with the decision, which gave the organisation "options" for the site's future. In May, the hearing panel of independent commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen and Crs Sophie Barker and Jim O'Malley were told the building was earthquake-prone and "significantly below" Fenz building standards. Any work to repair it would be considerable and costly. Fenz had detailed plans for a proposed new building to replace the station, but after the decision was released Mr Hill said demolition was not a done deal. "[The decision] doesn't mean that we're going to demolish it, and it doesn't mean we're going to significantly change it," Mr Hill said. "What it does is [it] let's us have the option of doing what we need to do to keep the site operational." The Lookout Point site was in an "optimal location" to best serve Dunedin and outlying areas, he said. The fire station was not the only significant building the decision affected. The University of Otago Archway Lecture Theatres received protection despite opposition from the institution and council planner Peter Rawson. Vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said the university was "very disappointed" by the decision to protect the theatres "particularly given it contradicts the recommendation of the council's own planning expert". "We presented compelling evidence as to why the Archway Lecture Theatres should not be added to the schedule, including the fact the theatres are the poorest quality of the 19-tiered lecture theatres on campus and that there have been plans in place for several years to remove the theatres." The panel was told since 2010 the university had considered demolishing the theatres — possibly replacing them with a formal garden space, which would enhance nearby Gothic buildings. Mr Robertson said opposing the planned protection "did not come lightly", but the university had to ensure its facilities met the evolving needs of students, staff and community. "We will now take time to fully consider the decision and our next steps." University of Auckland architecture Associate Prof Julia Gatley said she commended the council for increasing the number of mid 20th-century modern buildings on its heritage schedule and was "particularly pleased" to see the Archway Lecture Theatres included. In her role as chairwoman of heritage advocacy group Docomomo New Zealand, she made submissions in support of nine properties being added to the plan, including the Archway theatres. "The sculptural form, textured concrete surfaces and super graphics combine to make it such a gem," she said. "I hope [the university] leadership team are willing to rethink their current plans for this one in light of this very appropriate recognition of its heritage value." The New Zealand Defence Force and Kāinga Ora, which both had buildings protected despite their opposition, separately said they planned to review the decision before deciding on next steps. Submitters can appeal to the Environment Court within 30 working days of the decision.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Jobs at Scottish shopping centre to be axed as sale is sealed
The mall boasts big retailers such as M&S, Boots and JD Sports WORKER WOES Jobs at Scottish shopping centre to be axed as sale is sealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OVER 20 jobs are set to be axed at a Scottish shopping centre after the sale of the building was sealed. The Kingsgate Shopping Centre in Dunfermline, Fife, has been bought for £35million by Northdale Asset Management. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Over 20 jobs at the Kingsgate Shopping Centre are set to be axed The London-based property investment company confirmed earlier this year that a deal had been struck to buy the Scots mall, along with two other sites in King's Lynn and Loughborough. The Dunfermline Press reported that around 23 workers are being made redundant following the sale. But some workers have been told they may be able to reapply for their old jobs. Gatehouse Property Management will run the Kingsgate on behalf of the London-based firm. Stephen Hill, director of property and asset management, said: "The sale of Kingsgate Shopping Centre is due to conclude on Wednesday and at the same time all supplier contracts will come to an end. "Gatehouse Property Management has been appointed to manage the centre on behalf of the purchaser and there may be new opportunities for some of the current staff if they are not retained by their existing employer." Northdale Asset Management confirmed that security and cleaning staff were employed by contractors and not by the centre. The Kingsgate Shopping Centre is at the heart of Dunfermline and welcomes around 100,000 people on a weekly basis. The mall boasts big retailers such as M&S, Boots, New Look, JD Sports and B&M to name a few. However, the centre is still without a vendor in its main anchor retail space. Three iconic retailers file for bankruptcy in shopping bloodbath – and liquidation sales have already started Debenhams closed its doors in February 2021 after the company plunged into administration. The three-floor unit has been empty since then.
The National
30-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Job cuts confirmed as sale of Scottish shopping centre concludes
Northdale Asset Management, a London-based property investment company, confirmed earlier this year that a deal to buy the centre – along with two other malls in King's Lynn and Loughborough, had been struck. The Dunfermline Press reported that around 23 workers are being made redundant as a result of changes being implemented while workers have been told that they may have the option to reapply for their old jobs. Stephen Hill, director of property and asset management at Gatehouse Property Management, confirmed they would be taking over services at the centre. "The sale of Kingsgate Shopping Centre is due to conclude on Wednesday and at the same time all supplier contracts will come to an end," he said. "Gatehouse Property Management has been appointed to manage the centre on behalf of the purchaser and there may be new opportunities for some of the current staff if they are not retained by their existing employer." Northdale Asset Management confirmed that all security and cleaning staff were employed by contractors not the centre, adding: "We have no further comment to make."
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Construction begins on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers new hopper dredge
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Construction on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' new medium class hopper dredge is officially underway. Eastern Shipbuilding crews held a traditional steel-cutting ceremony Friday morning at the Allanton Shipyard. Eastern is building the vessel for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers' Ready Reserve Fleet. It will respond to emergency dredging jobs, operating about 70 days of the year. 'Congress passed a law long ago that said dredging is so critical. We want to make sure as a nation that we have a ready reserve fleet, proper dredges, and other dredges that can respond in the event that private businesses can't respond timely. So that's exactly what this ship will do,' Eastern Shipbuilding Group CEO Joey D'Isernia said. Buy surplus government vehicles and equipment at Panama City auction The hopper dredge is the primary tool used in beach renourishment projects. However, this vessel will be primarily used to dredge shipping channels up to 100 feet deep. 'We have over 45,000 miles of coastline in inland navigation federal channels that must be dredged to ensure that we support economic growth in the country and in the region,' U.S Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Director of Operations Stephen Hill said. The hopper dredge costs about $250 million to build. The Army Corps will pay for it with money generated from other projects. 'It's like taking out a loan from ourselves. We borrowed money from ourselves to award a contract to build the vessel. And then once it's in place, the service will repay the loan by a daily rental where the costs go up between $120,000 a day to run the McFall, to pay the crew the oil to take care of the vessel,' U.S Army Corps of Engineers Regional Business Director John Primavera said. It will take up to 30 months to finish the dredge. Once completed, the vessel will work out the Philadelphia district. It has not yet been named. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
