Opening up Ovens river vista

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 23 Jan 09

Demolition to clear way for long-awaited city square

Written by SALLY EVANS.

VIEWS of the Ovens River will begin to open up in Faithfull Street later this month when demolition starts on the former Outlook Alternatives building.

The site at 52-54 Faithfull Street is earmarked for a $500,000 public square as part of the Ovens River/Faithfull Street Precinct being developed by council.

Demolition of the building, purchased by the rural city in late 2007, will start next Tuesday.

Mayor Ron Webb said the site would become the centrepiece of Faithfull Street, opening onto a riverside promenade and providing a pedestrian link to the central business district.

"The Ovens riverside public square, when fully developed, will create a visual link between Wangaratta’s thriving central business district and the appeal and ambience of the Ovens River," he said.

Full development of the square will be achieved in a staged approach. Following the building’s demolition, the site will be levelled and lawn established to provide a temporary community space.

Detailed designs for the square and promenade are about to be developed in keeping with concept plans proposed by the urban designers and landscape architects who undertook the 2008 Wangaratta Retail Audit and Ovens Riverside Study.

Council has applied to the Federal Government for funding to carry out the works. Development of the public square follows the new pavilion and playground built at Apex Park, beautification works to the Ovens River frontage and the revitalisation of Faithfull Street.

It has also helped attract private investment for the area with an $8 million office and retail building proposed for the former Faithfull Street Traders site by local businessman, Mick Lloyd.