Save the Lower Hutt Town and Horticultural Halls and stop the Council speculating with our money!
Hutt City Council has resolved to demolish the Town Hall, Horticultural Hall and most of the Administration block, replacing the halls with a Conference Centre.
We the undersigned, call on Hutt City Council:
1. Not to demolish the Town and Horticultural Halls
2. Not to proceed with the building of a new Conference Centre.
Imagine the impact on your rates!
— The cost of rebuilding the Administration Block and new Conference Centre is $31.9m.
— We believe this will increase the Council’s 2013/14 current debt of $60m to $91.9m: an increase of 53%.
Less for more!
— The new Conference Centre will provide only two thirds of the existing area in the Halls
— We believe the Hutt City Council will be spending $4.2m more on the Conference Centre than refurbishing the halls and getting 1386m² less space
— New build costs are 2½ times higher than the equivalent area of earthquake strengthened space
Don't let the Council speculate with your money!
— The Council’s own business case states that ‘the options which provide for retention of the Town Hall as part of a larger, flexible venue provide the widest range of benefits overall’, and;
— ‘the cheapest option (Option 1) is to retain and strengthen the existing halls’.
Save our halls!
— The Town Hall and Horticultural Hall are a unique part of the Lower Hutt Civic Centre Historic area and have the equivalent of a Category 1 listing by the New Zealand Historic Places trust
— Demolition is contrary to the Council’s own heritage policies and was described by the Council appointed heritage Architect in the report that went to full Council on 12.11.2013 as a ‘major negative’.
Updates
March 16, 2014
The feedback regarding the proposed demolition of our halls confirms that many residents share these concerns about financial responsibility. Current discussions indicate that the Council remains committed to their plan despite the clear advantages of refurbishment. We are continuing to gather information to challenge the assumptions behind this project.
March 16, 2014
The momentum behind this petition clearly demonstrates that the community values the preservation of these historical landmarks. It is encouraging to see such widespread agreement that the Council should prioritize existing assets over costly new construction.
Reached 100 supporters
March 16, 2014
44 Comments
NO to a rates hike to pay for another HCC 'white elephant'. Besides Christchurch, post-earthquake, has shown that people's sense of 'place' is LOST when buildings of architectural merit are wantonly destroyed. A RETHINK is required, please.
These buildings have historic value, and if they are demolished that can never be regained. They also have practical value as they are and the proposed Conference Centre will not provide enough practical value to justify the cost.
I agree with Juanita, there are plenty of places that could be made more useful and aesthetically pleasing, but the area around the town hall and the halls themselves are just lovely, older buildings breath they are not cold hostile computer generated pieces that in 20 years time will be thought of as outdated and ugly.
Demolishing the existing structure would destroy one of the best modernist towers in the country. The proposed addition is not sympathetic to the existing building and is an unimagnative solution
I was born in Lower Hutt in 1946 and attended many functions/dances at both halls. Hutt Intermediate's 50th Jubilee which I attended was held in Horticultural Hall and I wouldhate to see these grand old buildings demolished.Even after more than 20 years away from L.Hutt this complex still means a lot to me.
Stop this folly, this insane local self - aggrandisement
the buildings in this group are the only distictive ones in an otherwise rather dull looking city centre. Let's keep them well.
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Save the Lower Hutt Town and Horticultural Halls and stop the Council speculating with our money!
Hutt City Council has resolved to demolish the Town Hall, Horticultural Hall and most of the Administration block, replacing the halls with a Conference Centre.
We the undersigned, call on Hutt City Council:
1. Not to demolish the Town and Horticultural Halls
2. Not to proceed with the building of a new Conference Centre.
Imagine the impact on your rates!
— The cost of rebuilding the Administration Block and new Conference Centre is $31.9m.
— We believe this will increase the Council’s 2013/14 current debt of $60m to $91.9m: an increase of 53%.
Less for more!
— The new Conference Centre will provide only two thirds of the existing area in the Halls
— We believe the Hutt City Council will be spending $4.2m more on the Conference Centre than refurbishing the halls and getting 1386m² less space
— New build costs are 2½ times higher than the equivalent area of earthquake strengthened space
Don't let the Council speculate with your money!
— The Council’s own business case states that ‘the options which provide for retention of the Town Hall as part of a larger, flexible venue provide the widest range of benefits overall’, and;
— ‘the cheapest option (Option 1) is to retain and strengthen the existing halls’.
Save our halls!
— The Town Hall and Horticultural Hall are a unique part of the Lower Hutt Civic Centre Historic area and have the equivalent of a Category 1 listing by the New Zealand Historic Places trust
— Demolition is contrary to the Council’s own heritage policies and was described by the Council appointed heritage Architect in the report that went to full Council on 12.11.2013 as a ‘major negative’.
Updates
March 16, 2014
The feedback regarding the proposed demolition of our halls confirms that many residents share these concerns about financial responsibility. Current discussions indicate that the Council remains committed to their plan despite the clear advantages of refurbishment. We are continuing to gather information to challenge the assumptions behind this project.
March 16, 2014
The momentum behind this petition clearly demonstrates that the community values the preservation of these historical landmarks. It is encouraging to see such widespread agreement that the Council should prioritize existing assets over costly new construction.
Reached 100 supporters
March 16, 2014
44 Comments
The mayor claims councillors made a "very difficult" decision after an "extensive and robust" process! Was the public involved in this? No! As a ratepayer was I asked? No! I want to be consulted when my heritage is being destroyed! I want to be consulted when my money is being speculated with! Save the Halls. Stop the Conference Centre!
NO to a rates hike to pay for another HCC 'white elephant'. Besides Christchurch, post-earthquake, has shown that people's sense of 'place' is LOST when buildings of architectural merit are wantonly destroyed. A RETHINK is required, please.
These buildings have historic value, and if they are demolished that can never be regained. They also have practical value as they are and the proposed Conference Centre will not provide enough practical value to justify the cost.
I agree with Juanita, there are plenty of places that could be made more useful and aesthetically pleasing, but the area around the town hall and the halls themselves are just lovely, older buildings breath they are not cold hostile computer generated pieces that in 20 years time will be thought of as outdated and ugly.
Demolishing the existing structure would destroy one of the best modernist towers in the country. The proposed addition is not sympathetic to the existing building and is an unimagnative solution
I was born in Lower Hutt in 1946 and attended many functions/dances at both halls. Hutt Intermediate's 50th Jubilee which I attended was held in Horticultural Hall and I wouldhate to see these grand old buildings demolished.Even after more than 20 years away from L.Hutt this complex still means a lot to me.
Stop this folly, this insane local self - aggrandisement
the buildings in this group are the only distictive ones in an otherwise rather dull looking city centre. Let's keep them well.
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The mayor claims councillors made a "very difficult" decision after an "extensive and robust" process! Was the public involved in this? No! As a ratepayer was I asked? No! I want to be consulted when my heritage is being destroyed! I want to be consulted when my money is being speculated with! Save the Halls. Stop the Conference Centre!