Emerson Street concept design gets the green light

Published: 1 August 2024

Raingardens and replacing aged wastewater pipes are on the cards for Emerson Street, as Napier City Council’s Future Napier Committee today endorsed the concept designs for the street’s upgrade.

Council is taking the opportunity to upgrade the streetscape while necessary infrastructure works are undertaken, combining it into one project to create considerable cost savings. This is being achieved through undertaking design, procurement and site works for the infrastructure and street upgrade at the same time.

Key aspects of the upgrade include replacing wastewater pipes. Raingardens will be introduced to increase stormwater collection capacity, lessening the chance of shops flooding during major rain events. Raingardens will also enable filtration to improve stormwater quality before it is discharged into the sea. This additional planting within the street will provide more shade, reducing the street’s ambient temperature and helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says the street will be more resilient.

“Upgrading Emerson Street is future-proofing our infrastructure for decades to come by replacing the old pipes. The raingardens also reflect a new approach to our stormwater management in the inner city.”

“Community engagement has shown us that the street’s safety and accessibility are important,” says Mayor Wise.

“We’ve spoken to lots of different users of Emerson. We heard that people wanted a main street that is safe, uncluttered, and somewhere that people of all ages and abilities want to spend more time in.”

The upgrade will use Universal Design principles, such as wider footpaths, level streets, and well-placed amenities for all ages and abilities. The new design will include "flexible zones" to allow areas within the street to be used differently at various times of the day.

Economic Development Portfolio holder Councillor Sally Crown says the project’s goal is for residents and visitors to have a positive experience when visiting Emerson.

“We want people to stay longer, which will benefit the street’s retailers.”

It was considered important to the success of the project that the design of Emerson Street follow a community-led approach. In November 2023 Council carried out pre-design engagement, seeking feedback on what Emerson Street is today and how people would like the street to look and function in future.

Council’s endorsement today means progressing developed and detailed designs for Stages One and Two of the project can now begin. Government funding of $1.65 million has been allocated to the project. This will contribute to the community engagement, the concept design of all stages, as well as the detailed design of Stage One between Clive and Memorial Squares. Stage 1 construction is proposed to begin towards the end of the 2024/25 financial year.

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