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Introducing the CRL's new Street Response Manager

News story
Wednesday 24 May 2017

Heart of the City is very pleased that the City Rail Link team has established a new role intended to bring fresh thinking and a creative approach to looking after Albert St during CRL construction.  Catherine Edmeades has been appointed the new Street Response Manager for the CRL development. 

The initial phase of the CRL brought considerable disruption to both vehicle and foot traffic patterns along Albert St.  Over the past 18 months, Heart of the City has advocated strongly to Auckland Council and Auckland Transport on behalf of businesses for improvements in the project’s approach to managing the effects of construction.  This advocacy has included making a submission on the Aotea Station resource consent, you can read a copy of our submission here.

Catherine is talking to local businesses to ensure that the development response plan for Albert Street will be designed to meet the needs of all people who use the street - businesses, residents and pedestrians passing through.  The first step will be to reduce the visual impact of the construction activities and help businesses to reclaim their presence on the street.  The CRL team will assist them by designing colourful printed panels to be attached to construction fences that make it clear that Albert Street is open for business.  The team will also provide improved wayfinding to assist pedestrians in navigating their way through a changing environment.
 
A business support package is being coordinated over the next month and is likely to offer business advisory services, business mentors and social media training.  The CRL team is also working with property owners to identify opportunities for pop up public spaces, artwork installations and improvements to building frontages so the street is engaging on many levels. 

  • Catherine is on the right with Holly Claeys, Activation and Relationship Manager for the CRL project on the left.